Florida Keys

M

mkinna1

Member
Market
Messages
87
Reaction score
0
Does anyone know the collection laws in the Keys? I know some of the reefs are very protected, but what about other areas down there? Making a trip right after Christmas and was wondering what the laws were? Free stuff is always great!:yes:
 
I agree with Victor. I have a supplier down there and they have to get a ton of permits plus inspections to make sure the law is followed.
 
I'm also curious what the collection laws are. For example is sand protected? What about rock?
 
Protected I believe you arent even allowed to touch the reefs there. For example SCUBA divers arent allowed to wear gloves because when we wear gloves we want to touch things. Exact law not sure but I would assume its a no no!
 
agreed......the laws against collecting there are extremely rigid and I wouldn't risk it....there are major, major fines for violation...I know a guy who got his boat taken away for collecting some ricordea illegally...his fish store in miami was also shut down....of course, I am sure there is a big difference in fine between taking 1 and taking 100 but t still wont be worth your savings.....the fish stores in Miami are pretty cheap compared to here and your best bet to save some buck is to go to them and buy stuff there and bring it back up with you.....I've done it on my last two trips down.

Also like dawgude said, base rock however you can find almost anywhere.....on your drive down through US1 they are doing construction and there is a ton of loose rock that they have torn up....you can pick up base rock on the side of almost any road in the keys.

what kind of nasty crap are we talking about here in the sand and on the rocks in the keys.....still a little confused about that? I was thinking of going to the bahamas on my freind's boat when I move back down to miami and getting some sand and LR from there......not from the reefs but from the beaches and the rock from outside the protected reef areas....in the bahamas, as long as you are collecting from non-protected areas it's all good. but i dont want nasty crap in he tank if that's a risk?
 
dawgdude;104110 wrote: You are not allowed to touch the corals but you can wear gloves.......I always wear gloves when I dive and when I collect lobster. I have come up wearing gloves many times right in front of the sheriffs with a bag full of lobster and have never had anyone says a word to me. Ive also come up off of reefs with gloves on and they just "check to make sure everything is ok" and then are on their way.
Click to expand...
Really? My dive instructor told me that it was illegal...or maybe he said some boat charters dont allow it. Either way no touching, no taking from the beach.
 
Closed Areas: The harvest of these species is generally allowed wherever recreational fishing is allowed. However, the harvest of marine life species or the use of the gear allowed to take these species may be limited or prohibited in state or federal parks, national wildlife refuges, and portions of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Interested persons should contact those park areas for further information.
It says only portions? Go to this site and it looks like you can???
a>
 
I was born and raised in Florida, and I can tell you that anything live taken out of the ocean will send you staight to jail along with a hefty fine. Florida is very strict and wouldn't even attempt it. I have also been lobstering many times in Fl and the police are insane. All the police for lobster, just think about a piece of coral.
 
While I was there earlier in the year, a couple guys got arrested for hoisting up 500lbs of rock but several companies were still pulling fish off the reef. My understanding is many of them lease protected areas from some of the conversations I was having with the locals. I personally was supremely disappointed in the state of reefs off of Key West, but there are still supposed to be some great spots off Key Largo.
 
Be cautious taking base rock also. The burden of proof is on you to prove it was not harvested from the ocean, should you get caught. Furthermore, rock that is dug up by machinery or has been exposed to road traffic will surely be coated in a lot of toxic material.
 
jmaneyapanda;104345 wrote: Be cautious taking base rock also. The burden of proof is on you to prove it was not harvested from the ocean, should you get caught. Furthermore, rock that is dug up by machinery or has been exposed to road traffic will surely be coated in a lot of toxic material.
Click to expand...

Certainly if you bought it at home depot you would have a receipt.

I know when my son went with his girlfriend, they were tempted but it was clear to everyone - Do it and go to jail! I always tell my kids, "If everyone took just one, there would be no more." Just buy what you need. Then you know it is relatively safe for your tank, and you did not contribute to the extinction of damage of yet one more species. Just MHO
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

brent03
Sps issues
Replies
3
Views
190
brent03
brent03
SaltedCarmel
Florida Mangrove Biotope Build Thread
2
Replies
30
Views
1K
Gahamilton
G
K
3D Printer Services
Replies
5
Views
253
Help me Reef
Help me Reef
H
Tank crash, if anyone can assist with helping me Rebuild my tank please help
Replies
8
Views
310
TeddyM
TeddyM
childers
Algae or dinos and parameters
Replies
5
Views
263
msporleder
M
Back
Top