Reminder of California Spiny Lobster Fishing Regulations

Need a copy of the regulations? Download them here: www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/pdfs/oceanfish2009.pdf

2009-2010 California Ocean Fishing Regulation 29.90: Spiny Lobsters

(a) Open season: From the Saturday preceding the first Wednesday in October through the first Wednesday after the 15th of March (October 3, 2009 - March 17, 2010).

(b) Limit: Seven.

(c) Minimum size: Three and one-fourth (3 1/4) inches measured in a straight line on the mid-line of the back from the rear edge of the eye socket to the rear edge of the body shell. Any lobster may be brought to the surface of the water for the purpose of measuring, but no undersize lobster may be brought aboard any boat, placed in any type of receiver, kept on the person or retained in any person’s possession or under his direct control; all lobsters shall be measured immediately upon being brought to the surface of the water, and any undersize lobster shall be released immediately into the water.

(d) Report Card Required: Any person fishing for or taking spiny lobster shall have in their possession a non-transferable Spiny Lobster Report Card issued by the department and shall adhere to all reporting requirements for lobster defined in Sections 1.74 and 29.91, Title 14, CCR.

Important Reminder: Spiny Lobster Reporting Requirements

• Persons fishing for or taking spiny lobster must have a lobster report card.

• Prior to beginning lobster fishing activity, the cardholder must record the month, day, location and gear code on the first available line on the report card. When the cardholder moves to another location, switches gear, or finishes fishing for the day, he or she must immediately record on the card the number of lobster kept for that location using a particular gear type. New lines must be used when changing locations, days, or gear types.

• Unlike abalone report cards, an additional lobster report card may be purchased in the event an individual fills in all lines and returns the card.

2009-2010 California Ocean Fishing Regulation 29.91: Spiny Lobsters Report Card Requirements for Ocean Waters.

(a) Spiny Lobster Report Card Required. All individuals must have a Spiny Lobster Report Card in their possession while fishing for or taking lobster. In the case of a person diving from a boat, the report card may be kept in the boat, or in the case of a person diving from the shore, the report card may be kept within 500 yards from the point of entry. Individuals must complete and return the card pursuant to regulations in this Section and in Section 1.74.

(b) Prior to beginning fishing activity, the cardholder must record the month, day, location, and gear code on the first available line on the report card.

(c) When the cardholder moves to another location code, or finishes fishing for the day, he or she must immediately record on the card the number of lobster kept from that location.

(d) In the event an individual fills in all lines and returns a Spiny Lobster Report Card, an additional card may be purchased. See Section 1.74.

(e) The annual fee for the Spiny Lobster Report Card is specified in Section 701, Title 14, CCR.

REMINDER: California Fish and Game Code, Section 5508, states that “It is unlawful to possess on any boat or to bring ashore any fish upon which a size or weight limit is prescribed in such a condition that its size or weight cannot be determined. The commission may adopt regulations, under which fish other than whole fish may be brought ashore, which establish sizes or weights for cleaned or otherwise cut fish equivalent to sizes or weights for whole fish.” (see Section 27.65).