Eager south Florida fishermen are harvesting meaty shellfish off the coast as lobster mini-season kicks into high-gear. The legal fishing of the prized crustaceans began just after midnight this morning under the guise of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
FWC is monitoring the waters of Florida Bay and Biscayne National Park for the event that ends at midnight on Thursday. State law requires the carapace of the seafaring creature be longer than three inches for harvest. Underweight or egg-bearing lobsters cannot be taken from the sea.
The U.S. Coast Guard is assisting state officials in regulating the event.
Regular lobster season runs from August 6th through March 31st.