Love Lobsters? Keys Season Best In Decades

KEY WEST (CBSMiami) - If you're a Florida Lobster lover, there's some good news that is not an April Fools joke. Officials say this year's spiny lobster season is one of the best on record in a decade.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, commercial lobster fishermen have harvested 5.5 million pounds of spiny lobster to date this season, close to the 6 million pounds were harvested in the previous season.

In comparison, just 4 million pounds were harvested in 2009-2010.

The increased harvest comes at a particularly good time for Florida fishermen. Prices for the lobster are up because demand it up, not just in the US where they are considered a seafood staple that costs far less than Maine lobster, but also in China and other Asian countries, where the Florida lobster is gaining new fans.

Fishermen have been spared from any tropical storms or hurricanes, spelling more good luck.

The commercial numbers are independent of the lobster mini-seasons, where private fishermen are allowed to dive to catch their own lobsters.