Abstract

The State of Florida implemented two regulations to reduce the mortality of lobsters used as live attractants in lobster traps. First, beginning in the 1987-88 fishing season, sublegal-sized lobsters retained aboard commercial fishing vessels were required to be in live wells. Secondly, the Lobster Trap Certificate Program was implemented beginning with the 1993 - 1994 fishing season, and the number of traps in the fishery declined from a peak of approximately 939,000 in 1991-92 to approximately 533,000 in 1998/99. Prior to implementation of these two regulations, from 1CJ77 - 1978 to 1986 - 1987, an average of 2,717 metric tons were landed each fishing season. Between the time that live wells were introduced in 1987-88 until 1992-93, landings increased to an average of 2,871 metric tons each fishing season. Between the 1993-94 fishing season, the implementation of the Lobster Trap Certificate Program, and the 1998 - 1999 fishing season, average landings increased to 3,048 metric tons each fishing season. Although these increases in landings is not significant, current landings approach Lyons and Hunt's (1992) estimate of the potential gain to the fishery expected from live well usage. The Lobster Trap Certificate Program has not yet reduced the number of traps below the level first identified as detrimental to the lobster population, and the fishery's impact on lobsters used as attractants remains high.

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