A Key West woman is facing charges after being cited by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office for violating lobster harvesting regulations in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Yin Fong Lam, 59, of Key West, was issued a mandatory notice to appear in court citation on November 18, 2025, for two distinct offenses: possession of undersized lobster and illegally spearing lobster.
The incident occurred at approximately 12:21 a.m. at the Edward B. Knight Pier, formerly known as the White Street Pier. Sheriff’s Office deputies were on routine patrol when they observed Lam.
According to the citation, deputies witnessed Lam holding a spear with a lobster impaled upon it.
Spearing spiny lobster is a prohibited method of harvest in Florida waters. Furthermore, Lam was also found to be in possession of an undersized lobster and failed to have a measuring device, which is required by law to ensure the caught crustaceans meet the minimum size requirement.
Lam has been given a court date to answer for the mandatory violations. Florida law imposes strict regulations on the harvest of spiny lobster, including specific minimum carapace sizes, bag limits, and gear restrictions, all designed to ensure the sustainability of the valuable fishery.
READ: A Bad Catch 2: Second Arrest Made In Florida Pre-Season Lobster Trap Robbery
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