To pick soft corals from florida keys, what do you need?

[iamdickie]

I would like to go to the keys and get some corals myself. Are there regulations in place, i woul dwant mushrooms rics and softies, wont touch the hard corals.

[Junkzoo]

Gonna have to defer this question to some of the more knowledgable people down there,,,,
But in a nutshell,,,,I think the entire Keys waters are considered a sanctuary, from shore line to prob about the Gulf stream,pretty much eliminating any collecting by anyone , except for those few that are grandfathered in.
Also , if i am not mistaken, i don't think a license have been issued for over ten years, down there to commercial ,non-residents.
I used to collect in the Keys, many moons ago, for my own shop,,
and watched the regs shut off most all collection,,,,,
I think the only "collection" that can be done is in certain areas,and only by licensed collectors
I'm not posting/relaying the laws governing Keys collecting by the letter, only in general terms, i might be wrong in some of my info, don't quote me,,,
But i think i set the tone, by saying , Keys collecting anymore, is pretty much a no way , no how situation today , for the ornamental industry,,,,,
Maybe some of the Fla locals more versed on the subject can chime in here, and state the particulars in black and white,,,

[1979camaro]

could e-mail or call the fisheries dept in the area...they probably know. or try their website, if you want to sort through the legal mumbojumbo yourself....personally, and this is not a slight against anyone here, i would not trust the info unless it comes from the horses mouth, just because you can get into some serious trouble if you are given the wrong information

[Junkzoo]

Oops, old link,,,hold on , working on a current one,,,,

[Junkzoo]

http://floridakeys.nos.noaa.gov/rese...g/welcome.html


Prob all the info you need, gonna have to click around tho,,,,
Hope this backs up my general statement before,,,,

[Melissa]

Most of the dive sites I went to in the Keys were protected sanctuaries. No collecting of any kind, not even empty shells. Fishing was catch and release - though I don't understand how that benefits the fish population. Lets injure some fish then throw them back?

[yardboy]

Here are the regulations for harvesting of corals in the Keys: http://marinefisheries.org/Regs_Web_English.pdf

The pertinent information is on page 5. Basically, there is no harvesting in Pennekamp or Key Biscayne Park, only 20 specimens a day are allowed, with only 6 of those being octocorals, no hard corals, and size limits on fish with some fish no harvest allowed.
There are no commercial liscenses being given out. Spanky has the heavy hand of judgement on what can be collected. Possibly he'll pipe in with further info, but if I were going to the Keys, the regulations set your limitations. All you have to have is a sport fishing license.

[Melissa]

This is pretty cool:
http://floridakeys.nos.noaa.gov/grap...ms_map_big.jpg

[Phishnoob]

I would think that your two paws and a bucket would be needed.

[yardboy]

And a net would be nice, but not essential.
Cyanide and dynamite are definitely VERBOTEN!

[Speckled Grouper]

Saltwater Fishing licence is what you need. 20 specimen per person per day, no hard coral or live rock, and there are two particular kinds of seafan you can't take.
I usually snorkle right off the shore and have great fun every time. Crabs, snails, some pretty zoos that glow bright green under actinics, red feather dusters, anemones, etc. I picked up a purple sea whip that looks great in the tank last time.
Can't wait for Thanksgiving, when I go back, hope the water is not too cold...