Biscayne Bay-Card Sound Lobster Sanctuary

Spiny lobsters in the seagrass of Biscayne Bay Lobster Sanctuary.

NPS image by Carissa DeCramer

The taking of lobsters is prohibited at any time of year in the Biscayne Bay-Card Sound lobster sanctuary. The State of Florida designated the sanctuary to provide lobster breeding habitat and help ensure the viability of the species. The sanctuary overlaps with the park, yet it is a separate entity.

The sanctuary boundary extends from Matheson Hammock to Cape Florida (Key Biscayne). From Cape Florida it runs south along the eastern high water line of Soldier, Ragged, Boca Chita, Sands, Elliott, Old Rhodes, Swan, Palo Alto and Angelfish Keys and the southern edge of Pumpkin Creek. It then runs along the high water line of Key Largo, western shore of Pumpkin Creek, southern shores of Angelfish Creek and Little Pumpkin Creek and the eastern edge of Card Sound to the Card Sound Bridge. From there it runs north along the western high water lines of Little Card Sound, Card Sound and Biscayne Bay to Matheson Hammock.

All natural, artificial and tidal creeks between the islands and along the mainland are included in the sanctuary and are closed to lobstering. Lobsters may be taken east of the islands during the legal seasons. Legally taken lobsters may be transported through the sanctuary as long as no one from the boat is overboard (in the water) while inside the sanctuary.