Florida Keys Local Customs

In 1982, the United States Border Patrol had established a roadblock and inspection points on US Highway 1, stopping all northbound traffic returning to the mainland at Florida City, to search vehicles for illegal drugs and illegal immigrants. The Key West City Council repeatedly complained about the roadblocks.
After various unsuccessful complaints and attempts to get a legal injunction against the blockade failed in federal court in Miami, on 23 April 1982 Key West mayor Dennis Wardlow and the city council declared the independence of the Keys, calling it the "Conch Republic". After one minute of secession, he as the Prime Minister surrendered to an officer of the Key West Naval Air Station, and requested one billion dollars in "foreign aid".
The stunt succeeded in generating great publicity for the Keys' plight, and the inspection station roadblock was removed. It also provided a new source of revenue for the Keys, and the Conch Republic has participated in later protests.

Florida lobsters, otherwise known as spiny lobster, differ from others in that they're smaller. These lobsters are a delicacy in the southeast and, for that reason, have been captured to endangerment. For that reason, lobster catching is tightly regulated.

Anyone seeking to catch lobster must purchase a license. There are also limits on the number of lobsters which can be caught per person. Lobsters must exceed a certain size as well. Anyone caught catching lobsters without a license or with too many or with lobsters that are smaller than the legal limit will be severely fined.

Regular lobster season runs from August until March. But lobster afficionados know that mini season is a great time to go out diving in search of lobster. Mini season is a two day period in July when it is permissible to catch lobster, subject to the above restrictions.

Well, not exactly, but if you plan to go fishing for the day or half day, bring your own catch of the day to nearly any restaurant and they will prepare it for you. I think you have to fillet it first, but any fishing guide or captain will gladly do this for you. Dining on the fruits of your labor is a unique experience.

One of the best places to catch a sunset in the Keys, is Mallory Square Pier, Key West. SEEMS LIKE EVERY ONE on the island comes here at sunset. They have what's called The Sunset Celebration, this is where every one flocks to the pier at Mallory Square and gets drunk to what the sun set another day. All the local artist and crafters come with these specialty of the arts to sell and be seen. Only the artist them selves can be there, you can even watch them work. It's a fun time but very crowded.