Florida’s lobster mini-season runs on July 30 and 31. After these dates, lobster harvest is CLOSED until the regular season begins on Wednesday, Aug. 6. For a full rundown of lobster rules, tips and tricks read the Keys Weekly’s OnBoard magazine
While the famed Florida lobster mini-season ran on July 30 and 31 this year, there were plenty of folks caught by Florida Keys law enforcement agencies in recent weeks getting a “head start” – and attempting to take undersized fish for good measure. All reports are allegations and individuals listed are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
July 14
Islamorada Marine Deputy Jason Farr was on patrol on U.S. 1 near MM 78 around 9 a.m. when he issued mandatory notices to appear in court to Richard Allen Oberhaus, 51, and Jake Allan Sinkovic, 20, both of Saint Johns, Florida, for each possessing six out-of-season lobster, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office said.
July 19
Farr was on patrol again near MM 90 (Tavernier Creek Bridge) around 2 p.m. Saturday when he issued a citation to Yoslanis Yoelvis Rodriguez Grahan, 21, of North Lauderdale, Florida for possession of an out-of-season lobster, possession of four undersized mangrove snapper and possession of one mangrove snapper not in whole condition.
July 24
Maria Eugenia Heiser, 49, of Naples, Florida, was given a mandatory notice to appear in court on July 24 for possessing a lobster out-of-season. Deputy Ross Hughes stopped a Dodge pickup truck in Key West for no taillights just after midnight. The lobster was subsequently found. Heiser stated she has been visiting Monroe County for 20 years to harvest lobster, authorities said.
The same day, Brian Rafael De La Torre Cartelle, 25, of St. Petersburg, Florida, was arrested for possessing seven undersized lobster, possession of five wrung tails on the water, possession of lobster during closed season, over-the-limit lobster and having no measuring device. Middle Keys Marine Deputy Willie Guerra was on patrol at the Long Key Bridge around 3:30 p.m. when he observed the suspect diving with no dive flag. Eight lobsters total were found.
July 26
Juan Carlos Garcia-Martinez, 36, of Miami was arrested on Saturday for possessing nine out-of-season lobster (over the limit), including eight undersized lobster, nine wrung tails in the water and nine speared lobster, as well as a speared, undersized and out-of-season snook. He was also charged for having no dive flag, measuring device, fishing license, lobster license or snook permit, and tampering with evidence. Middle Keys Marine Deputy Luis Guiardinu was on patrol near MM 60.5 just before 3 p.m. when he saw Garcia-Martinez in the water without a dive flag and saw him spear a lobster. He was taken to jail.
July 27
Manuel Barral Panal, 36, and Pedro Sena, 36, both of Miami, were given citations on July 27 for possessing an undersized hogfish and mutton snapper. Islamorada Marine Deputy Nelson Sanchez was on patrol near MM 73 around 10 a.m. when he saw the men fishing and in possession of the illegal fish. Barral Panal stated he thought the fish were legal because they were “plate size — if they fit on a plate, then they should be good.”
In the Lower Keys, a 21-year-old Sebring, Florida man was arrested and charged with a litany of lobster-related violations off Cudjoe Key after he was found with 19 wrung tails. Ethan William Kline was charged with multiple counts of possession of out-of-season lobster, possession of over-the-limit lobster and possession of speared lobster, among other charges. The sheriff’s office was on patrol around 7 p.m. at the Bow Channel Bridge when Kline was observed with the wrung tails. He was taken to jail.
