Species Spotlight: Lobsters
Lobsters are diverse crustaceans inhabiting every ocean, with distinct species adapted to cold and warm waters. These decapods have 10 legs and varying diets, habitats and behaviors depending on their environment. In Florida, our version of the lobster is the “Caribbean Spiny Lobster,” which are found in large numbers throughout South Florida and the Florida Keys.
Daily Bag Limit and Season: 6 per person for Monroe County and Biscayne National Park. 12 per person for the rest of Florida. Possession limit on the water: equal to the daily bag limit. Possession limit off the water: equal to the daily bag limit on the first day and double the daily bag limit on the second day. Possession limits are enforced on and off the water.
Minimum Size: Carapace must be larger than 3 inches, measured in the water. Possession and use of a measuring device is required at all times.
Size: In Florida and the Bahamas, these alien-looking spiny lobsters can grow up to 18 inches in body length and weigh as much as 15 pounds. They are slow-growing animals that increase in size through molting, where they discard their old shells while absorbing water and expanding their body size. They molt about 20 to 30 times in their first seven years of life and only once per year when they reach full maturity. It takes them about two years to grow to the legal-harvesting size of a 3-inch carapace (shell of the head).
Similar Species/Preferred Water Temp: Cold-water lobsters, often called “true” lobsters, sport large front claws and harder, smoother shells, typically weighing between 1-4 pounds. In contrast, warm-water lobsters, also known as spiny lobsters or “crays,” lack large claws and have long antennae. These lobsters are covered in forward-pointing spines that protect against predators. Warm-water lobsters thrive in warmer regions such as the coasts of Florida and California, the South Pacific and the Mediterranean.
Appearance: They have horn-like spines that protrude over their eyes and two long spiny antennae accompanied by smaller antennule structures. Spiny lobsters’ distinct appearance sets them apart from other crustaceans due to their unique color ranges from almost white to dark red orange, with large light-colored spots on the top of their tails.
Habitat: Spiny lobsters inhabit hard-bottom, seagrass ledges and coral reefs. They are typically found in near-shore, hard-bottom habitats during their early life stages, eventually migrating to coral reefs, sometimes as deep as 300 feet, as they mature. The larval of spiny lobsters float offshore in the water column after spawning. As they grow, they end up in near- shore habitats where they can hide from predators in dense vegetation.
Predators: Predators of these lobsters are pretty diverse, ranging from other sea-dwelling creatures to human beings. Larger marine predators,
such as sharks, groupers and snappers, are known to prey on spiny lobsters, posing a significant threat, particularly to juvenile lobsters. Octopuses are another primary predator known for their adaptability and hunting skills. They can squeeze into the crevices and holes that lobsters use for protection, making them a formidable threat. Even some species of sea turtles may have spiny lobsters on their menu. On land, humans are the most impactful predators, catching spiny lobsters for recreational and commercial purposes. Lastly, it’s worth mentioning that the invasive lionfish, an unwelcome addition to Florida’s waters, has been known to prey on juvenile lobsters, adding to the challenges faced by the spiny lobster population in Florida.
Activity: Lobsters are nocturnal animals, which means they are more active at night, venturing out from their shelters to forage for food. Young spiny lobsters feed on tiny floating plants and animals, while juveniles and adults are carnivores, preying on snails, crabs, clams and the occasional leftovers of decomposing fish carcasses. Lobsters are highly social animals often found in holes or dens in the bottom in large groups. They are known to participate in mass migrations, forming single-file lines to deeper depths when the water temperatures cool in late October and early November.
Food Value: Spiny lobsters are highly valued for their rich, sweet and slightly nutty flavor, making them a prized delicacy in many cuisines around the world. The most coveted part of the spiny lobster is the tail meat, which is renowned for its tender texture and robust flavor profile.
Reproduction: Spawning occurs on offshore reefs from March through August in the Florida Keys, with year- round spawning occurring in the Caribbean. The male spiny lobster deposits sperm on the underside of the female. When it comes time to release her 230,000 to 2.6 million eggs, she will scratch these sperm deposits to fertilize them in perfect synchronization, and then she will carry the fertilized eggs beneath her tail until they hatch in about three weeks. Eggs are known to be bright orange and eventually turn brown around the time larvae are released.
Conservation Status: Lobsters are highly regulated, with seasons throughout both Florida and the Bahamas. Although they are known to be an expensive delicacy in the food scene, that wasn’t always the case. In North America’s earlier years, lobsters were significantly more abundant than today’s stocks and were often harvested just to be ground up and used as fertilizer for crops. Since then, lobsters have become much more valuable than just being a fertilizer. The high demand and table fair of this slow-growing crustacean has led to increased demand and, therefore, higher prices and increased regulation. There are two seasons lobsters can be harvested. The first is called mini-season and is always the last Wednesday and Thursday of July. The second is the main opener, which is Aug. 6 to March 31.
Harvesting Methods: The favored approach among lobster hunters typically employs the use of a tickle stick and a broad net with a short handle. When you spot a lobster nestled in a crack or hole, place your net near the exit of its hiding place. Introduce the tickle stick behind the lobster and lightly tap its tail. Responding to its instincts, the lobster will move forward and exit its hideaway. At this moment, bring the edge of your net close to its tail and then swiftly cover the whole lobster with the net.
Source: https://floridasportfishing.com/species-spotlight-lobsters/
