There's plenty of room for all hunting our Keys lobsters
Lobster divers and commercial fishermen must co-exist
E-Mail this story
Print this story
Heather Sutphin, the columnist's wife, can't hide her excitement at finding a keeper bug near the Seven Mile Bridge during mini-season while her 4-year-old son Christopher looks on.
Today's the opening of the eight-month recreational and commercial lobster season, and increasingly, it seems the season is starting to rival that of mini-season, which was last week, in terms of the number of boats on the water whose passengers are diving for bugs.
That means sometimes, there are conflicts between the recreational divers and the commercial fishermen.
Right out front, let me say I'm a fan of the two-day mini-season. Like everyone visiting for it, I get caught up in the excitement and anticipation the week leading up to it. But there are a few things we all consistently see when out and about looking for the spiny little buggers that can be avoided through a little more education and awareness.
-- Lobster in very shallow water.
I rarely, if ever, see lobster during daylight hours in less than a foot and a half of water, although I am amazed by the number of boats I see on shallow flats with snorkelers who can't even submerge because of the depth. Shallow-water guides need these type of skinny-water flats to not only stalk the fish that feed there, but also as a safe haven from all of the boats zooming around. The guides are trying to make a living and there are more than enough spots to find lobster in a little deeper water.
-- Running or sitting with your dive flag still up.
Nothing bothers me more than running from one flat to another and having to come off plane 10 times because I see a vessel with a dive flag displayed, only to find the divers drinking beers on the boat, just idling looking for another spot.
Also, if I had a dollar for the number of boats displaying dive flags that are running on plane, I probably wouldn't have to write this column each week. I accompanied Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Officer David Dipre last mini-season and by far the most verbal warnings he gave were for this situation.
-- Running across flats with mud in your prop wash.
I admit, this problem isn't unique to mini-season alone. It's a daily problem in the Keys, but with the number of boats here the past week, the problem is more pronounced.
Forgetting the fact that shallow-water fish are very nervous and weary, it is illegal. If you find yourself in that situation (which I have myself on a few occasions), then power down, lighten the load and push. Not too complicated.
-- Quickness at boat ramps. Public boat ramps are tough to come by in the Keys, so guides have no other choice but to share the ramps with lobster hunters hitting the ramp at 6 a.m. just to get in line.
I've seen this situation a thousand times: After waiting behind a boat and trailer for 45 minutes, it finally is his turn to launch and he pulls in position at the top of the boat ramp. That's when he puts the drain plug in, pulls the tie-down straps off, puts the cooler on the boat, digs in a miscellaneous bag for the keys, throws the blow-up inner tubes aboard, and then unhooks the boat from the trailer -- all while the crew uses the public bathroom at that exact moment, giving him no one to back the boat off the trailer.
I'm not confrontational, but come on already. Have some respect for others, especially the gang trying to make a living.
And of course, park smartly. When every other trailer is in one direction and tight next to each other, don't park cock-eyed just because you are in a rush and so excited to get to the crawfish.
There's a balance that can exist between the divers and the guides with just a little common sense and courtesy. With that in mind, go get them bugs.
