South Atlantic Federal Regulations

(For areas three-200 miles off the coasts of NC, SC, GA, and East Florida)

Commercial:

• In federal waters off NC, SC, and GA, harvesting is allowed year round with a daily bag or possession limit of 2 per person.
• A trap certificate program has been adopted in the EEZ off Florida.  Contact Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for information at 850/487-0554.
• Permit and vessel ID required.
• Carapace must be more than 3", tail must be at least 5.5" with tailing permit. Divers must measure carapace while in water. Undersized lobster must be released unharmed immediately without removal from water.
• Season closed April 1 through August 5 off east Florida.
• Night divers restricted to 6 lobster bag limit off east Florida.
• Allowable gear includes trap, pot, dip net, or square. There is a 5% bycatch limit by weight for incidental harvest by trawls in the EEZ.
• No spear, hooks or piercing divices. Explosive and poisons are prohibited.
• A degradable panel is required on non-wooden traps. Bouy and trap identification is required. Trap tending at night is prohibited.

Recreational:

• Must have carapace size of 3". Divers must measure carapace while in water. Undersized lobster must be released unharmed immediately without removal from water.
• Season closed in Florida from April 1 to August 5. Special non-trap season off Florida is last Wednesday and successive Thurday in July.
• Limit is 6 per person off Florida. No transfer at sea between boats. Cannot combine EEZ and state bag limits.
• Limit is 2 per person off NC, SC, and GA.
• Removal of tail at sea is prohibited without permit.
• No taking of berried spiny or berried slipper lobsters.
  • No spears, hooks, or piercing divices.
  • Explosives prohibited.