Keys Treasures Blog » Diving

Key West Lobster Fest 2010

Keys — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 00:35:51 +0000

KEY WEST, Florida Keys — Melted butter is optional, but a taste for crustaceans is essential at the 14th annual Key West Lobsterfest scheduled Friday through Sunday, Aug. 6-8. The festival commemorates the start of the Florida Keys lobster season with events that include an open-air lobster feast on Key West’s famed Duval Street.

Florida lobsters, sometimes called spiny lobsters, are known for their sweet, tender meat. Unlike their northern cousins, the spiny specimens have no claws.
Purists savor them steamed, with each bite dipped in melted butter. They also can be baked and stuffed, served cold in salads or incorporated into dishes ranging from bisques to fritters to omelets.

The festival’s enticing “entrée” is the Key West Lobsterfest Street Fair, set for noon through 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 7, in the 100 through 500 blocks of Duval.
Lobster lovers can sample dishes ranging from tempting appetizers to traditional lobster dinners with all the trimmings. Chefs from as many as 20 local restaurants are to prepare specialties featuring fresh crustaceans caught by Florida Keys lobster fishermen.

Attendees also can browse and buy art, crafts and merchandise from on-site vendors.

A free outdoor concert is slated to begin at 1 p.m. and continue through 10:30 p.m. from a stage at the intersection of Duval and Greene streets. The talent lineup includes top local and regional acts Alphonse, Bubba System, Cool Breeze and Techno Dread.

Other Lobsterfest events include a kick-off party Friday, Aug. 6, at Rick’s/Durty Harry’s Entertainment Complex, 202 Duval St., a Friday night Duval Crawl and a mouthwatering lobster brunch Sunday, Aug. 8.

The crustacean celebration benefits a scholarship fund for Key West High School students.

For more information, visit www.keywestlobsterfest.com or e-mail info@ricksanddurtyharrys.com. For accommodations information in Key West, call the Key West Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-LAST-KEY (800-527-8539) or visit the Keys website at www.fla-keys.com.

More Lobster Mobsters Arrested

Keys — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 18:05:00 +0000

CITIZEN STAFF

http://keysnews.com/

Wildlife officers chased two suspected lobster poachers Saturday as they reportedly attempted to out-swim a state boat near Ohio Key, just east of Bahia Honda State Park.

One of the men swam to Sunshine Key Camping Resort in the hope of outrunning Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers, but was captured after a foot chase through the campground, agency spokesman Bobby Dube said.

Ivan Rodriguez, 46, and Nelson Amaro-Montesino, 27, both of Miami, were charged with taking lobster out of season, snorkeling with no dive flag, interfering with an officer and resisting arrest — all misdemeanors.

Officers found 31 lobsters in a dive bag and spearfishing equipment in the water after their arrest, Dube said. Of the 31 lobster, about a third were undersized and had been speared, he said.

The agency received a call around 7 p.m., reporting that two men were in the water just outside the Ohio Key Channel without a dive flag, Dube said. He did not know whether the call came from a boater or someone driving over the bridge. Two officers responded and watched the men from a distance before stopping them, Dube said.

“They tried to swim to shore and wouldn’t get in our boat,” Dube said.

As officers followed the men, Amaro-Montesino tired and eventually boarded the agency’s vessel, Dube said. Rodriguez made it to shore before officers corralled him in the campground, Dube said.

The Monroe County State Attorney’s Office is reviewing the case, and more charges could be pending, Dube said.

Back in the channel, officers found a milk jug with a spear gun tied to it and a bag containing lobster.

Both men were taken to jail in Marathon and county Judge Tegan Slaton set their bond at $74,000.

The lobster “mini season” runs July 28 and 29. Regular season begins on Aug. 6 and runs through March 31. It is illegal to spearfish for lobster any time, anywhere in Florida.

Lobster Mobster Caught Off Grassy Key

Keys — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 02:07:17 +0000

By KEVIN WADLOW

http://www.keysnet.com

Wednesday, June 02, 2010

Fifteen lobster tails were seized as evidence Monday when state wildlife officers arrested a St. Augustine man spearfishing near Grassy Key. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers charged Bruce L. Beall, 39, with 19 misdemeanor counts of conservation violations.

FWC officers checked Beall when they saw him spearfishing in Gulf of Mexico waters north of Grass Key, FWC spokesman Bobby Dube said. It’s illegal to spear lobster, and to separate tails from the lobster body on the water. All the tails were undersized and taken in a closed season, Dube said.

If the lobster had been egg-bearing, “he’d have had the whole set” of possible crawfish violations, Dube noted. The incident was the most serious conservation violation reported from the Memorial Day weekend in the Keys, the officer said.

Lobster season is closed from April 1 to the sport-diving days the last Wednesday and Thursday in July.

Adios Lobster Casitas & Lobster Mobsters

Keys — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 23:40:30 +0000

Restorative justice may include casita removalOperation Freezer Burn, a multiyear investigation by state and federal law enforcement agencies, took down two of the most legendary lobster poachers in the Florida Keys, Dave Dreifort, and his wife, Denise. Sentenced to 30 months and seven months respectively, the couple also was ordered to forfeit more than $1 million in property.

In addition to the Dreiforts, the investigation secured four other convictions with sentences ranging from 10 months in prison to a year on parole.A subsequent investigation, dubbed Frost Bite, successfully nabbed two more men who had worked with the Dreiforts in the past, John Buckheim and Nick Demauro, both 23 years old. Each of these men has pleaded guilty and now await their sentences.In the latter case, we have seen something a bit different. Buckheim and Demauro have taken it upon themselves to start undoing some of the harm they have done.In addition to poaching lobsters, much of the case made by the government revolved around illegal lobster habitats, or “casitas.”

These are man-made structures — often old oil drums or discarded appliances — intended to attract lobsters so they can be easily, and illegally, harvested.Tens of thousands of these casitas scattered throughout Florida Keys waters create what many experts consider an ecological disaster, disrupting natural migration patterns and tearing up the sea floor. Removal of the artificial lobster habitats is a major priority for the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, but hiring commercial salvors for the job is very expensive.While awaiting their sentencing, Buckheim and Demauro, with the permission of sanctuary officials, have been removing hundreds of the illegally placed casitas from the Gulf of Mexico.

Their motivation is simple: to show they have taken responsibility for their actions and are helping repair the harm they and others have done. And, of course, they hope to curry favor with the judge who will be handing down their sentences.In legal circles, this behavior is referred to as restorative justice.These young men are far from role models, and they certainly should experience consequences for breaking the law. But we cannot help but note that their pre-emptive corrective action contributes to a sense that justice has been better served in this case than in others where the criminals are serving jail time.The debris littering the ocean floor must be removed. It can be done by contractors at considerable taxpayer expense or it can be done at little to no cost by Buckheim and Demauro. We hope the court considers this when considering what sentence best fits the crime — and the public good.–

The Citizen

via Editorial | KeysNews.com.

Dry Tortugas Video

Keys — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 23:37:04 +0000

This 13-minute video — which can take a while to load, so be patient — is the work of the South Florida National Parks Trust, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. It explains the background that led to creation of the natural area, which is hoped to allow fish populations to rebound and to provide a sanctuary if you will for coral reefs, which face threats from anchor damage, degraded water quality, and warming oceans.

Are You Ready For The Spiny Lobster Sport (Mini) Season?

Keys — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 01:59:51 +0000

Diving for lobster in Florida’s upcoming mini-season can be deadly, warns a leading dive-safety organization.

“Divers get excited and rush to dive without preparation, and most of them are out of shape,” said Petar Denoble, a physician who serves as senior research director for the Divers Alert Network. ”They underestimate the level of exercise required for diving, particularly lobster diving,” said Denoble, author of a recent report published in DAN’s Alert Diver magazine. The past four years have seen 14 divers die during Florida’s annual two-day mini-season — 10 of them in Florida Keys waters, the leading destination for lobster hunters.

In contrast, only six divers died while hunting lobster statewide in the regular eight-month lobster season in the same 2005-08 period. This year’s lobster sport-diving season arrives July 29 and 30.

“Why the higher percentage of deaths in the two-day preseason? Our best guess is that mini-season may be the time many divers take their first plunge of the year,” Denoble wrote. “Or they’ve made relatively few dives thus far and haven’t gotten up to speed on their skills and conditioning…. The underwater chase, frequent ascents and many repetitive dives over the two-day season can take a toll, even on the most experienced divers.” He pointed out that most of the mini-season deaths can be traced to heart problems in divers in their late 40s and older.

There was no evidence that air embolisms, typically responsible for about a third of all diving deaths, caused any of the 20 lobster-related deaths that DAN staff studied. Denoble called that finding “interesting,” but cautioned against drawing broad conclusions from the relatively small number of case studies.

After three divers died in Monroe County waters during the 2005 mini-season, authorities called for increased caution. All three were out-of-county residents; the youngest was 49.

But the 2006 season was even deadlier, with four fatalities.

There were two lobster diving deaths in the Keys last year, after one death in 2007.

Many of the deaths could be linked to those with known medical problems, or who had undiagnosed conditions.

A lobster-season safety campaign was launched this spring to warn divers to check their equipment and be aware of physical demands. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Diving Equipment and Marketing Association and DAN prepared the program.

“People who live a sedentary lifestyle must assume they are out of shape,” Denoble said. “Divers may try to chase lobster the same way they did it when they were 25. But at 50, it doesn’t work that way any more.”

Denoble recommended that older divers have regular checkups, and exercise throughout the year.

“Get prepared. You cannot go out and play a game without practice,” he said. “This is your game, and you need to win.”

An estimated 30,000 divers go out for lobster in a typical mini-season, with about 60 percent of them planning to do it in the Keys.

Job Listing – Undersea Research Diver in Key Largo

Keys — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 02:40:35 +0000

Position Information

Working Title	Undersea Research Diver
Job Title	Scientific Diving Specialist
Job Category:	Marine Science
Position Number	001966
License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation:	Applicants must be capable of passing an AAUS diving physical examination and swim test upon employment.
Summary of Position	Position is located in Key Largo, Florida. Performs topside and underwater technical support for the Aquarius underwater laboratory. The Aquarius undersea laboratory is a unique tool that is used to support marine science in the Florida Keys. The undersea laboratory is part of a world-class research program; safety is paramount. Services, maintains, and operates all underwater laboratory equipment and support systems (for example, high and low pressure gas systems, life support components, environmental control units). Services and maintains diving equipment, small boats, and diesel and outboard engines. Assists scientists/aquanauts in the accomplishment of underwater tasks.
Minimum Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities	High School diploma or equivalent, and demonstration of ability to meet certification standards to dive through American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS), recreational or military equivalent. All diplomas and degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities	General knowledge and technical skills to effectively and safely carry out previously determined methodologies. Knowledge of basic study design and general diving methods of data collection applicable in scientific operations. Working knowledge of safe scientific diving procedures, practices and standards.
Preferred Qualifications:	Certified SCUBA diver is desirable.
Work Hours	May vary
Work Days	Monday – Friday (Weekends and evenings may be required)
Months Per Year:	12 months
Minimum of Salary Range:	$31,777
Max. Salary Advertised:	$44,773
Salary Grade:	NG
Business need for career banded position:	Contributing
Special Instructions to Applicants	PLEASE NOTE: You will be required to attach a resume to successfully apply for this position. To receive full consideration, please be sure you have completed the ‘Work History’ section of the application before you submit it. For NC State employees with RIF priority re-employment rights, this job is considered a salary grade 68.
Hours Per Week:	40
Job Posting Date	07-14-2009
Job Closing Date	07-22-2009

Apply here

Click here for more Florida Keys Jobs

9 Inch Lionfish Captured on Key Largo Elbow Reef

Keys — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 03:01:19 +0000

Any doubt about the prevalence of lionfish in Florida Keys waters ended July 5. The largest lionfish yet captured in the Keys — 9 inches total length — was netted at The Elbow Reef off Key Largo. It was the eighth exotic lionfish taken in Keys waters since the first capture in January, an average of better than one a month.

“This was the largest Keys fish so far, and certainly reproductively capable,” said Lad Akins, special projects director at the Reef Environmental Education Foundation. “We’re getting lionfish sightings with more frequency,” said Karrie Carnes, information officer for the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

A response team formed by the sanctuary and REEF headed to The Elbow after the big lionfish was spotted around 11 a.m. July 5 by Quiescence Diving Services instructor Chelyn Shaw. Quiescence staff volunteered a boat and crew.

“At 3:30 p.m. the fish was located in exactly the same location as reported,” Akins said. “The fish was first noted resting upside down under a ledge, but during the removal dive it was found hovering over the sand bottom under the ledge, hunting.” It took divers just eight minutes to find and net the fish, the most efficient capture yet, Carnes said.

Lionfish sport an array of feathery plumed spines, all of which pack a strong venom jolt for divers and snorkelers who are stuck. “It hurt so bad I wanted to cut my hand off with a meat cleaver. It’s much worse than an urchin sting,” Bahamas dive operator Bruce Purdy told the Keynoter earlier this year. Treatment with hot water, a common remedy for jellyfish stings, helped make the pain bearable, Purdy said.

However, experts say the primary concern about lionfish is not the threat to humans but the environmental havoc they may wreak. A ravenous, prolific Pacific Ocean species, lionfish do not belong in South Florida. Since lionfish breed rapidly, large populations could wipe out native species and cause major disruptions in the ecological balance at the reef. “They have the potential to impact native fisheries resources that are economically important for commercial fishing and tourism,” said David Morris, a federal biologist. Lionfish apparently have no natural predators in the Atlantic Ocean. The species may have gained a foothold along the coast of the U.S. and the Caribbean when hurricanes flooded aquariums.

Divers and snorkelers who see lionfish should call local reporting hotlines: 852-0030 or 395-8730.

By KEVIN WADLOW
kwadlow@keynoter.com
Posted – Saturday, July 11, 2009 11:01 AM EDT

Dive Flag Awareness Week

Keys — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 23:24:19 +0000

Gov. Charlie Crist has proclaimed June 27-July 3 as Dive Flag Awareness Week. “It’s time folks pay attention to what a divers-down flag means and to ‘steer clear,’ and divers need to make sure they present their flags according to the laws,” said Lt. David Bingham, a state Fish and Wildlife Commission watch commander.

A divers-down flag is red with a white diagonal stripe, at least 20 inches by 24 inches, and flown at a high point, observable 360 degrees around a vessel. A divers-down flag towed on a float must be at least 12 inches by 12 inches. Both flags must have stiffeners to hold them open. All vessels must make a reasonable effort to stay at least 300 feet away from the flags in open water or 100 feet away within a river, inlet or channel. Within those prescribed distances, a vessel may operate but must be at idle speed. For more, go to myfwc.com.

During Dive Flag Awareness Week, enforcement details will be expanded around the state with radar guns, and they will issue warnings and citations. “With bay scallop and spiny lobster season just around the corner, we really want to emphasize the importance of engaging all safety precautions.” Bingham said. “If you’re diving, display a flag. If you’re boating, look for the flag.”

Lobster Season PSA

Keys — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:44:07 +0000

A few other safety tips from DAN:

Remember that an underwater hunt strains your body much more than a typical recreational dive.
If you do not exercise vigorously and frequently on land, do not dive if you are not fit for it. Do not hunt underwater.
Do not lobster hunt on your first dive. If you did not have a chance to make some dives before the mini-season, remember that full lobster season starts in August and lasts through March. Use the preseason time to refresh your skills and improve your fitness. By doing this, you will be ready for many safe lobster hunts during the regular season.
Lobster hunting is a serious dive operation, even at a depth of 10 ft (3m). Ensure that the diver in you maintains control over the hunter in you.
Remember, you caught nothing if you did not bring it to the surface and cook it.

For a more in-depth look at dive safety during the mini-lobster season, visit alertdiver.com.

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