[Coral-List] Questions about Spiny Lobsters

[Dan Clark]

We did not mean to limit the responses we are receiving on the list to experts, although we did ask the question in that tone.
   
  All comments are appreciated.
   
  Thank you to those who responded on the list and to us personally.
   
  Dan Clark

Dan Clark <reefteam2 at yahoo.com> wrote:
  Question to Spiny Lobster Experts 

The State of Florida is considering a request by the spiny lobster trap industry to shorten the time that lobster season is closed for breeding. Commercial harvest is usually closed from April 1 - Aug. 5.


We have been diving here for decades and it has been our experience that we see a large number of egg bearing females during the month of August, the beginning of normal lobster season. Although Florida law prohibits the harvest of egg bearing females, we have to question what impact the deployment of many thousands of traps 3 weeks earlier then the normal August 1 date will have upon the breeding population and egg bearing females. Could this have a cascading effect on future lobster stocks?

Review and discussion of a request from the spiny lobster trap industry to move the date of trap deployment from August 1, 2006 to July 10, 2006, and to move the beginning date for this year's commercial harvest of spiny lobster by traps from August 6, 2006 to July 15, 2006. See http://myfwc.com/commission/2006/April/index.html


Dan Clark







Cry of the Water 
P.O. Box 8143 
Coral Springs, FL 33075
954-753-9737
www.cryofthewater.org





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        Cry of the Water 
  P.O. Box 8143 
  Coral Springs, FL  33075
  954-753-9737
  www.cryofthewater.org