The federal government this week will begin the largest removal of illegal lobster fishing habitats, commonly called casitas, from Florida Keys waters.

Starting Thursday, marine salvors contracted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will be removing casitas that were once placed and used by commercial lobster diver David Dreifort, who pleaded guilty to poaching charges in 2009 and served about two years in prison.

Dreifort had nearly 700 illegal casitas in waters between Big Pine Key and Key West, according to his plea agreement with federal prosecutors.

Read the full story at Keys News>>