MONROE COUNTY, Fla. – A Greenacres man learned the hard way that Florida’s lobster laws aren’t just suggestions. On Saturday, Daverne Dantes-Jean, 39, was caught with a haul of illegal shellfish near Mile Marker 70, leading to a mandatory court date.
The incident began when the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office received a tip about individuals illegally harvesting lobster in the area.
Middle Keys Marine Deputy Willie Guerra responded to the call and located Dantes-Jean. Upon inspection, the deputy found six undersized spiny lobsters in the man’s possession.
REDA: Don’t Let Scales Scare You: Why Florida’s 1.3 Million Alligators Aren’t Your Biggest Moving Worry
Florida law strictly regulates both the size and the timing of lobster harvests to protect the population. Because the encounter occurred in May—well outside the standard harvesting windows—Dantes-Jean was cited for possession of out-of-season lobster as well as possession of undersized lobster.
Deputy Guerra issued a mandatory notice to appear in court to the 39-year-old. The Sheriff’s Office continues to encourage the public to report suspicious harvesting activity to help protect local marine life.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox
