Florida Spiny Lobster Trap/Pot Fishery - MMPA List of Fisheries
Learn about the 2024 classification of the Florida Spiny Lobster Trap/Pot Fishery.
U.S. fisheries are classified under the Marine Mammal Protection Act according to the level of interactions that result in incidental mortality or serious injury of marine mammals.
Current Classification on the List of Fisheries
Category | III |
Estimated Number of Participants | 1,268 |
Target Species | Spiny lobster |
Applicable Take Reduction Plans | None |
Observer Coverage | Not observed |
Marine Mammal Species/Stocks Killed or Injured | Bottlenose dolphin, Biscayne Bay estuarine Bottlenose dolphin, Central FL coastal Bottlenose dolphin, Eastern GMX coastal Bottlenose dolphin, FL Bay Bottlenose dolphin, FL Keys |
^ Number of participants estimates are based on state and federal fisheries permit data. The estimated number of participants is expressed in terms of the number of active participants in the fishery, when possible. If this information is not available, the estimated number of vessels or persons licensed for a particular fishery is provided. If no recent information is available on the number of participants, then the number from the most recent LOF is used. NOAA Fisheries acknowledges that, in some cases, these estimations may be inflating actual effort.
*Observer coverage levels include the latest information reported in the most current final Stock Assessment Report (SAR).
1 Indicates the stock or species is driving the classification of the fishery.
Basis for Current Classification
Category III fishery under the MMPA due to a remote likelihood of mortalities or serious injuries to marine mammals.
Distribution
Commercial landings have been reported in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas since 1962. But in 35 of the 45 years from 1962 - 2006, all landings were in FL. Effort takes place on both the Atlantic and Gulf side of the Florida Keys, with diving most commonly occurring on Gulf side. Fishing occurs in waters less than 100 ft. The commercial and regular recreational spiny lobster seasons start on August 6 and end on March 31.
Gear Description
Lobster trap/pot is a cube typically made of wood with concrete in the bottom. A buoy is attached to the trap via a float line and marked with a “C” for spiny lobster traps. Traps may be set several miles apart and set to soak on average from 8 to 28 days.
Management
Managed jointly by the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils. The fishery is currently managed via bag limits, minimum size limits, regulated fishing seasons for the commercial and recreational sectors, gear restrictions, trap construction requirements, and a trap limitation and permitting program.
Historical Information
Original Category (Year added to the LOF) | III (2001) |
Original Number of Participants | 2,145 |
Basis for Original Classification | Created by splitting the "Southeastern U.S. Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean spiny lobster trap/pot" into this fishery and the "Caribbean spiny lobster trap pot" |
Past Names | Southeastern U.S. Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean spiny lobster trap/pot. 2001 |
Species/stocks historically documented as killed or injured (but not currently on the list) | N/A |
Timeline of Changes
| 2024 |
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2017 |
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2012 |
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2011 |
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2009 |
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2001 |
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