Lobsterman Faces Charge: He’s Accused of Building a Possible Illegal Casita

By Kevin Wadlow, Florida Keys Keynoter, Marathon

Jan. 5–A commercial lobster diver faces an arraignment hearing in local court Friday on a count of possessing artificial-reef materials on the water.

Manuel Ravelo Jr., 35, of Key West was booked into the Monroe County jail Dec. 24 and released after posting $1,000 bond on the misdemeanor count.

Ironically, Ravelo was named in 2005 to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Spiny Lobster Advisory Board as a commercial diver. The panel later voted to ask that he be removed because of missed meetings.

An information report on Ravelo’s case was filed Nov. 21 by the office of Monroe County State Attorney Mark Kohl stemming from an incident at sea June 11.

According to a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission report, officers on patrol three miles north of Key West conducted a boat-safety and catch inspection aboard a 29-foot boat carrying Ravelo and another man.

Officers reported finding “many pieces of rebar approximately [3 feet] in length” along with a sledgehammer and tool bag.

The iron reinforcing rods and tools were suitable for use in building an illegal underwater habitat to attract lobster, according to the FWC.

Ravelo would not offer an alternative purpose for the materials aboard his boat, officers reported.

Ravelo could not be reached for comment this week.

Underwater habitats, also known locally as casitas, are used to provide spaces where lobster congregate. During lobster season, divers can go to the site and collect many crustaceans rather than looking for them in their natural habitats.

While commercial divers maintain such habitats are beneficial to the marine environment, biologists fear the structures could be detrimental to the lobster’s normal behavior.

Hundreds of these structures are believed to have been built illegally around the Keys, according to government officials.

Under current state law, it is illegal to build such an underwater habitat without permits, or to carry on the water “any materials reasonably suited … for use and placement as an artificial reef.”

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