After the lobster workshops recently held by the State of Florida, it has become more apparent that the state cares nothing for the overall health of the lobster fishery. The state cares nothing for the tourism sector benefits of a healthy recreational lobster fishery. "Maintaining historical levels of harvest for the commercial trappers" was the only thing the state seemed interested in accomplishing.

But not by enforcing the laws already written.

They want to write new laws.

I heard commercial fishermen telling of the collapse of the lobster fishery all around the Caribbean basin; Nicaragua, Honduras, Cuba, Bahamas. The states answer, "we believe that the harvest level next season in Florida will be the same as last year".

I heard the State of Florida admit that they knew of the disease called "lobster AIDS", with no plan to keep this disease from reaching market. Actually, it appeared that they were trying to hasten the movement of these lobster to market. This particular discussion was very interesting to hear.

And the state wants to guarantee historical levels of commercial over harvest.

I heard commercial fishermen call the lobster traps eco-nightmares. Anecdotes of damage to reef coral and sponges by traps tossed around in the ever dynamic sea. (remember the $10,000.00 handout- our government paid these guys for traps lost during a storm- traps destroyed by those damn coral reefs.)

And the state wants to guarantee historical levels of commercial over harvest.

I heard commercial fishermen admit to illegal catches of nearly 1200 lbs a day, during the first month of harvest. Then after the first month, they all quit because there are not enough lobster to make it worth the trip. One month is all the gluttons need to clean out the reefs. During the meetings, the chairman kept steering the "commercial divers" to a quota of 500 lbs a day. This number was called ridiculously high by the commercial trappers. They weren't the only ones. The few recreational divers I spoke with were angry. 

And the FEDS decided to show up too. "We suggest you take from the recreational sector" to give to the commercial sector came from the mouth of NMFS. This guy didn't stick around either. He was gone in a flash. Then there was the FED from the Park Service, who lobbied for recreational reductions. These reductions would be consumed by the commercial sector with no net benefit to anyone but the commercial sector. He mouthed about damage by recreational divers in the park, and I asked him if they still allowed trawling inside the park. He knows we see through his rouse.

There is no hope for the recreational diver, unless you voice your opinion.

Capt Moose

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It would be best if you called: 

Bill Tehan (850) 487-0554

Tell him that diving for lobster is supposed to be fun and rewarding. Fun  is not praying to get a few lobster before the commercial slaughter begins. Fun is not bum rushing the keys with 50,000 people in a two day breakneck race to the reef. A two week spread would help the economy, and the recreational divers. Industry may not like it, but remember that there should be parity in the resource. Industry already takes about 90% of the total harvest.

Just think, a relaxing vacation without feeling the need to race out at the crack of dawn. You might even drive to the bottom (Key West) and spend the day down there too. I spend a lot of money when I go to the Key's, but not nearly as much as some of my buddies. Tell him that you think he is trying to ruin a family sporting hobby, and you won't be spending any tourist dollars in Florida ever again if they pull this stunt.

Further more, tell him that if they enforced the laws already written, they wouldn't need to create another one. Don't be fooled into thinking that this is designed to help recreational divers enjoy the resource or to preserve the resource, only shift a larger portion of the already commercially dominated resource to the commercials. 

This is horse crap.

The Moose

The commercial industry has an undeniable stronghold on the lobster in the keys. They harvest more than 90% of the lobster by trap, traditionally, and more these days by scuba diving which is clearly prohibited in the United States Code of Federal Regulations.

The trappers are upset, their harvest are starting to dwindle. At the same time the commercial divers are making monumental gains. The trappers blame the divers. The commercial divers are to blame, but the recreational divers are the target of this vile attack mounted by the state. The reality of this issue is that the commercial industry still takes most all of the lobster, and the wholesaler doesn't care how he gets it.

The keys locals want to keep it all to themselves, and there will be some who are vocal trying to keep everyone out. I obtained copies of some of their letters once, and they were primarily from doctors and lawyers - wintering from New York! Some of the other locals want to get lobster too, as recreational divers, and then sell them to the wholesalers. We all know what happens because there isn't any law enforcement to watch the crooked fishmongers.

If I say it now, it will make the millionth time. The answer is to stop the illegal activities of the commercial divers. All that needs done is to enforce the CFR - Title 46- section 197. I asked the state, and the feds to follow the code. How many commercial divers need to die before someone on these boards is found criminally responsible? Hell, their own friends are dying and they sit back and do nothing.

Until then, the state has another brilliant idea. They want to burden the recreational diver with a tax and further limit our catch by placing more strict limits on us. WE need to fight these rules, and ask that industry shoulders the burden of lobster management since all we get are the crumbs.

The Moose

From the FWC website:               My comments in red. The Moose

The FWC has received numerous requests in recent years to reduce participation in the 2-day sport season, especially in Monroe County.  Local concerns have been raised about property damage, harm to the lobster resource and habitat and severe vehicular and vessel congestion during the 2-day season. All of these problems could be easily solved by allowing a full two weeks of recreational harvest before the commercial slaughter begins. I asked the council to extend the mini season to a full two weeks, to allow a graduated flow of tourist rather than the bum rush that occurs when you squeeze 50,000 people into a two lane highway.

A legislative proposal (TAX) is under consideration to require all persons, regardless of age, who participate in the special 2-day spiny lobster sport season in Monroe County to possess a permit of up to $10 to help the FWC determine the number of participants each year and to provide a mechanism to manage the number of harvesters in the future. We pay, they reap millions in revenue. All the while, industry still takes 90%. Industry needs to pay a wholesale tax on lobster, rather than taxing the family of five, $50.00

The Commission is interested in receiving public comment (even though the decisions are already made) on several possible management options, including:

• changing the rule that allows a daily recreational bag limit of six lobsters per person or 24 lobsters per boat, whichever is greater, during the regular season to six lobsters per person, per day. Why are they attacking the recreational harvest, which is such a small percentage of the total harvest? These gluttons are going to take something from us, and the commercials will still come in and take all that is left behind. Seemingly, the only ones to lose here are those who hunt with less than four on the boat. I have no problem with that.

• reducing the recreational bag limit during the Special Two-Day Sport Season in Biscayne National Park from 12 to six spiny lobsters per person, per day. This is horse crap too. Limit the recreational divers more, and the trappers and commercial divers will come in and clean up all we don't get. Horse crap might be a bit mild.

• reducing the Special Recreational License bag limit to some level below 50 lobsters per day. Please publish a list of those who hold these special licenses, we would all be amused to see the occupations of those special enough to have one of these "master blasters".

• prohibiting the use of artificial materials (casitas) to commercially harvest lobster. The authorities wont enforce the laws on the books, even after prompting. And now they want to create a law to limit an already illegal activity. 

• establishing a commercial diver permit, a moratorium on issuing commercial dive permits, and a diver trip limit. The authorities wont enforce the laws on the books, even after prompting. And now they want to create a law to limit an already illegal activity. 

• setting the opening day for commercial dive harvest at some date after the regular season opening. The authorities wont enforce the laws on the books, even after prompting. And now they want to create a law to limit an already illegal activity. 

The public is encouraged to participate at the workshops, which will all take place from 6-8 p.m. as follows:

Or send your comments to moose@seahunters.com

Or fill out the form below.