FLORIDA — Researching whether lobster casitas can be allowed fishing gear will be part of state fishery managers’ work plan for the upcoming fiscal year that starts in July.
Researching whether lobster casitas, or condos, can be allowed fishing gear will be part of state fishery managers’ work plan for the upcoming fiscal year that starts in July.
FWC dives into casita debate keysnews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from keysnews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The spiny lobster fishery in the Florida Keys could see its first major changes in several decades as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has resurrected the debate on lobster casitas and has been asked to approve a tag system for the annual two-day mini-season in July.
The FWC board this month had its first major discussion about allowing casitas, or lobster condos, for harvesting spiny lobsters.
Casitas are small artificial structures placed at the seafloor to attract large congregations of lobster, making them easy for divers to harvest. Through the years, such things used for casitas off the Keys have included car hoods, hurricane shutters attached to cement blocks and PVC piping.