Saving Seafood

FLORIDA: Florida’s spiny lobster season closes April 1, reopens Aug. 6

March 31, 2026 — Florida’s recreational and commercial spiny lobster harvest seasons in both state and federal waters will close April 1, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

The season will reopen Aug. 6, while the annual two-day recreational sport season is scheduled for July 29 and 30, which falls on the last Wednesday and Thursday of July this year.

The special sport season allows both residents and visitors to harvest spiny lobster before the regular season begins, but state wildlife officials remind boaters and divers that bag limits and restrictions vary depending on where they are harvesting.

China bought lots of Florida lobster despite tariffs. Keys fishermen paid the price

April 5, 2019 — Chinese importers bought Florida spiny lobsters in what could be near-record numbers this season, despite a 25 percent tariff their government placed on U.S. seafood last July, according to the leading Florida Keys commercial fishermen’s trade group.

That’s great news considering the fear commercial anglers had about the potential impact of growing U.S.-China trade hostilities on one of South Florida’s largest industries.

“Going into the season, the big questions were: Will the Chinese buy? How much and at what price,” said Bill Kelly, executive director of the Florida Keys Commercial Fishermen’s Association. “The Chinese did buy, at near historic levels.”

Read the full story at the Miami Herald