The two-day lobster mini-season has begun.
At Crandon Park in Key Biscayne all morning boats left and boats came back with a sack full of Florida’s lobsters.
For so many like Carl Torresson the day is about tradition. He said, “I have been going since I was five with my dad.”
However it’s bittersweet coming back to Key Biscayne. His dad couldn’t make it.
He said, “He has a neck injury or he would be here.”
“He knows these waters a lot better than I do. I’m going out here based on visual past. I haven’t been here in a while. I go out of Port St. Lucie because that’s where I live now.”
As much fun as these two days are there’s a serious side to it.
NBC 6 sailed out to the water with Officer Jorge Pino of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Sometimes boaters need a reminder how important it is to abide by the rules and regulations.
Pino said, “Our focus and our objective is to project Florida’s natural resources and the people that enjoy them.”
Three guys boating close to Crandon Park found out firsthand how serious safety is taken.
Pino noticed their boat and sailed up to it for an explanation. Pino also checked their licenses, made sure they had the proper safety equipment and even made them head back for that dive flag.
However these men didn’t mind.
Osmani Olivera was on that boat.
He said, “Safety is number one. There’s a bunch of people that die. Two is we need lobsters. Without him (Pino) everyone would just poach them and poach them.”
Some tips to also keep in mind when out for lobsters.
Make sure the body or carapace is longer than three inches or you have to throw them back.
Never keep a pregnant female. Never harm the lobster until you make it back.
As for the early risers this morning like Eddie Gomez and his son Hunter, it wasn’t the best day for lobsters.
Eddie Gomez said, “We had to struggle tonight as you can see it’s 4:30 in the morning and we didn’t get our limits.”
For Hunter Gomez the mini-season is all about quality time with dad.
“It’s really awesome to spend time with him because he’s usually working and it’s fun. Plus I get to stay up all night and that is cool,” Hunter Gomez said.
