Title 16 — ConservationRelease 119-73
§781 Taking or catching, in waters of Gulf or Straits of Florida, commercial sponges of less than prescribed size, and landing or possession of same
Title 16 › Chapter CHAPTER 11— - REGULATION OF LANDING, CURING, AND SALE OF SPONGES TAKEN FROM GULF OF MEXICO AND STRAITS OF FLORIDA › § 781
Summary
It is illegal to take or catch, by any method, commercial sponges in the Gulf of Mexico or the Straits of Florida beyond state territorial waters if they are less than five inches across when wet. It is also illegal to land, deliver, cure, offer for sale, or have those undersized sponges at any U.S. port, place, or on any U.S. vessel.
Full Legal Text
Title 16, §781
Conservation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
It is unlawful for any citizen of the United States, or person owing duty of obedience to the laws of the United States, or any boat or vessel of the United States, or person belonging to or on any such boat or vessel, to take or catch, by any means or method, in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico or the Straits of Florida outside of State territorial limits, any commercial sponges measuring when wet less than five inches in their maximum diameter, or for any person or vessel to land, deliver, cure, offer for sale, or have in possession at any port or place in the United States, or on any boat or vessel of the United States, any such commercial sponges.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
16 U.S.C. § 781
Title 16 — Conservation
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73