Item L1 LI
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COUNTY of MONROE �� i Mayor Holly Merrill Raschein,District 5
The Florida Keys Mayor Pro Tern James K.Scholl,District 3
Craig Cates,District 1
Michelle Lincoln,District 2
' David Rice,District 4
Board of County Commissioners Meeting
August 21, 2024
Agenda Item Number: L1
2023-2803
BULK ITEM: No DEPARTMENT: District 1
TIME APPROXIMATE: STAFF CONTACT: Amanda Leggett
no
AGENDA ITEM WORDING: COMMISSIONER CATES: Discussion and direction in regard to
amending Section 26-98 of the Monroe County Code of Ordinances to include a prohibition against
diving or snorkeling within 300 feet of bridges beginning three days prior to the opening of and during
the entirety of lobster mini-season and for the first five days of commercial lobster season.
ITEM BACKGROUND:
The State of Florida created a short sportsman season to allow recreational users to catch lobsters prior
to traps being deployed and commercial season beginning. This season became known to divers and
snorkelers as "Mini Lobster Season". Florida's two lobster seasons are the 2-day mini season and the 8
month regular lobster season. The mini lobster season is always the last consecutive Wednesday and
Thursday in July.
On 12/15/2010, in response to complaints and concerns regarding public safety, the BOCC adopted
Ordinance No. 038-2010 expanding the prohibition against diving or snorkeling in any manmade water
body or marina, or within 300 ft. of an improved residential or commercial shoreline beginning 3 days
prior to the opening of and during the entirety of the lobster mini-season and for the first 5 days of
commercial lobster season. That ordinance is currently codified at Section 26-98 of the Monroe County
Code of Ordinances.
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION:
12/17/2003 Ordinance No. 044-2003 prohibiting diving/snorkeling in any manmade waterbody or
marina or within 300 ft. of an improved residential or commercial shoreline during the entirety of the 2-
day sport season for spiny lobster
6/18/2003 Ordinance No. 020-2003 further defining "navigable canal" and"man-made water body"
2/19/2003 Ordinance No. 003-2003 established "No Discharge Zone"
12/15/2010 BOCC adopted Ordinance No. 03 8-20 10 further restricting diving and snorkeling during
lobster mini-season
12/20/2012 Ordinance 001-2013 adding definition of"Commercial Lobster Season", to provide for
enforcement, removing sunset date of(8/31/2012) and to continue prohibition of diving and snorkeling
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in any manmade water body or marina or within 300 ft. of an improved residential or commercial
shoreline, beginning 3 days prior to the opening of and during the entirety of the lobster mini-season
and for the first 5 days of commercial lobster season.
INSURANCE REQUIRED:
No
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES:
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
DOCUMENTATION:
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
n/a
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