Abstract

A special two-day spiny lobster season for recreational fishers only is held in Florida before the start of the regular commercial and recreational season. This special season has generated much discussion and controversy, as well as many defenders and opponents, especially in the Florida Keys. A mail survey was conducted after the 1998 special sport two-day sport season so that we could determine the level of the spiny lobster harvest, level of participation by fishers, the patterns of travel of the fishers, and any patterns in the survey answers as they relate to the fisher's home residence. The two-day statewide harvest totaled more than 314,000 lobsters. Approximately 39,000 fishers were on the watereach day. Two thirds of the harvest and fishing effort occurred in the Florida Keys. We estimate that those who traveled to the Keys spent approximately $2.3 million during their travels and stay in the Keys and trailered in 2,500 boats. Regarding fishery issues, those living in Monroe, Dade, and Broward counties where most of the fishing occurs, strongly oppose a weekend two-day sport season, whereas those who travel to these areas favor a weekend two-day sport season. Those who hold the opinion that lobster abundance is declining and that bag limits are too high, think that the two-day sport season should be abolished.

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