A hearty appetite and a passion for lobsters are mandatory during the 13th annual Key West Lobsterfest, a celebration of Florida’s clawless lobster set for Friday through Sunday, Aug. 7-9. The events salute the tasty clawless crustacean at the start of this Florida Keys lobster season, which runs from Aug. 6, 2009, through March 31, 2010.

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

For more information about Lobsterfest, visit www.keywestlobsterfest.com

According to Andy Newman from the Florida Keys Media Relations, several years ago, a group of law enforcement, medical and dive industry officials in the Keys began a safe diving initiative, specifically geared to communicating safe diving practices, as well as protecting the rules of lobster harvesting.

Traditionally, mini-season attracts many divers to Florida’s coastal waters to pursue the tasty crustaceans. Many Fort Myers Beach residents are gearing up for the trip down to the keys as well.

In their enthusiasm, some divers forget about the basic dive rules or have not done a thorough job of inspecting their equipment since last year’s mini-season.

“We would like to protect divers and ensure they have an enjoyable experience as well as our natural resources,” said Newman. “Divers are encouraged to be safe and make sure their gear is serviced, skills refreshed and that you have a buddy plan.”

The Florida Keys Media Relations Office says a salt-water fishing license with a lobster stamp is required and to make sure each lobster is of legal size, that no egg-bearing females are taken and that anyone does not exceed catch limits. One must also know the areas that are closed for catching and treat the Keys’ coral reefs with respect.

Visit divealive.org for more information.