Spiny lobster-Lionfish Outreach

The spiny lobster, Panulirus argus, is one of Florida’s most economically important fisheries. The lobster also supports a productive recreational fishery, including a controversial 2-day sport (mini) season. The spiny lobster mini-season is always the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday in July prior to the official start of the regular commercial and recreational lobster season which runs annually August 6 – March 31. Each year, more than 50,000 people snorkel or dive for lobsters in Southeast Florida during these two days.

The recreational fishery is regulated by a combination of size and bag limits, seasonal closures, restricted fishing areas, and the prohibition of harvesting egg-bearing females. Despite these regulations the recreational fishery, especially the mini-season, is intensive both for the spiny lobster fishery as well as for the recreational fishers that are on in the water. The intense removal rates of spiny lobsters by recreational divers are among the highest reported for recreational marine fisheries in the world. Nearly 22% of all spiny lobsters are harvested by the recreational fishery and 25% of the total annual recreational catch can be caught during these two days. Unfortunately, incidences of illegal catches as well as human injury or even death are common during the season.

In recent years, recreational fishers have had a new hazard to worry about while diving for lobsters. Since 2009, the invasive lionfish has become a regular resident of southeast Florida’s reefs. Lionfish, which are native to the Indo-Pacific, reside in the same reef habitats as spiny lobsters. Lionfish possess venomous spines capable of deterring predators and inflicting serious stings and reactions in humans. Lionfish are often found on the underside of rocks and coral heads and unlike other fish, do not swim away when approached by humans. As a result, divers have a significant likelihood of confronting a lionfish while hunting for lobsters and, if not aware, run the risk of incurring a sting.

By law, recreational anglers must possess a spiny lobster ruler to measure legal sized spiny lobsters and lobsters must be measured while in the water. In an effort to raise awareness about spiny lobster regulations and the threat of lionfish stings to the recreational lobstering community, the Sea Grant Extension Agent in Miami-Dade County developed a spiny lobster tool. This double sided ruler lists all of the state of Florida Rules and Regulations for spiny lobsters, as well as a drawing of how to properly measure a lobster on one side, as well as all the information needed to properly identify and report lionfish sightings on the other side.

In 2010, with the help of Park Rangers from Biscayne National Park, the Sea Grant agent disseminated more than 1,000 of these legal-sized, waterproof rulers free of charge to recreational lobstermen and efforts will continue for the upcoming 2011 lobster season. Surveys indicate that these rulers have helped raise awareness about spiny lobster regulations by 33% and lionfish awareness by 72%. 100% of participants surveyed are also interested in learning more about how to safely capture lionfish. As a result of this overwhelming interest, the extension agent applied for and received a grant to increase lionfish outreach efforts in Miami-Dade County and these participants will be included in future programming opportunities.

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Photo-lobster ruler

This photo is a picture of the two-sided spiny lobster ruler that was developed and disseminated to recreational anglers as an educational tool