I was at Key West Naval Station in the early 70’s.
We could snorkel off the enlisted beach fro lobster.
Swim out about a hundred yard and the water was about 10 feet. Bring along an inner tube and a net bag.
Dive down for a lobster, bring up to tube.
Repeat.
Buddies would already have the water hot on the fire on the beach.
Best duty station, ever.
Yeh the good old days. No permits just the honor system during the season or if you just happened to get stopped by the wildlife guys which was almost never. Most everybody abided by the law and we all had a good time free diving for lobsters in the canals around my friend’s parents house in Lower Matacmbe Key (Islamorada). We used to go out on the pontoon boat for conch and fishing and diving on Hens and Chickems reef. I would not even want to go to the Keys now it would be depressing.