Spiny Lobster Reporting RequirementsNew regulations also specify that those fishing for or taking spiny lobster
must have a lobster report card. The purpose of the new reporting requirement is
to monitor recreational catch, effort and the gear used in the recreational
lobster fishery.
A Spiny Lobster Report Card
is required for all anglers taking spiny lobster beginning September
27, 2008, including persons who are not required to have a sport
fishing license, such as persons who are under 16 years of age, persons
who are fishing from a public pier, and persons who are fishing on Free
Fishing Days.
Regulations will require that in all instances of fishing activity, the
cardholder must begin by recording the month, day, location, and gear code on
the first available line on the report card. When the cardholder moves to
another location, or finishes fishing for the day, he or she must immediately
record on the card the number of lobster kept from that location.
Unlike Abalone Report Cards, if a lobster fisherman fills in all lines and
returns a Spiny Lobster Report Card, an additional card may be purchased. Locally, licenses and report cards may be purchased at Wylie's Bait
& Tackle, open every day except Monday. located at 18757 Pacific Coast Hwy (near Topanga Cyn. Blvd.) Malibu, CA. Phone: 310-456-2321
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§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.
(b) Limit: Seven.
(c) Minimum size: Three and one-fourth 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 nontransferable 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.
NOTE:
Authority
cited: Sections 200, 202, 205, 219 and 220, Fish and Game Code. Reference:
Sections 200, 202, 205, 210 and 220, Fish and Game Code.
Section 29.91, Title 14, CCR, is added to read:
§29.91. Spiny Lobster
Report Card Requirements for Ocean Waters (FG 685, See Section 701).
(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 on the shore. 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.
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And
this response from Department Fish & Game to a question about the cards on a fishing
board:
Thank you for your inquiry into the new report card regulations for spiny
lobster-- here are the answers to your questions, provided by our marine
regulatory specialist, Marci Yaremko:
How much will it cost?
The new lobster report card will cost $7.50.
How often do I need a new one?
Whenever you fill your report card, you
will need to purchase a new one. Cards are valid for the full calendar year,
just like your fishing license. There are 56 lines on which to record your
fishing activity, so for the vast majority of people, they can record all of
their fishing effort for the year on a single card (unless they fish for lobster
more than 56 times per year). There is no limit on the number of cards one can
buy (unlike abalone and sturgeon cards). The card is good for the entire year.
is it by season or by month or by trip?
Each line on the card is for
fishing activity with a particular gear at a particular location on a particular
date. The sites are fairly general; for example "Zuniga Jetty" or "San Clemente
Island." Before you leave to fish, you must record the date and the gear and the
location you are fishing. Upon completion of the trip, you record any catch you
take, or that you didn't catch any lobster. If you move to a different location
(i.e. to a spot that is within a DIFFERENT location code - say you move from Pt.
Loma to La Jolla) then you need to complete the line on the card for Pt. Loma
and then use a different line for La Jolla.
Does everyone on the boat need one?
Yes. The cards are issued to
individuals. And like your fishing license, you must bring the card with you on
a boat. If you are diving from shore, you may leave your card and license on
land if you are staying within 500 yards of the shore.
Who needs to have one?
Any person fishing for or taking lobster.
Do kids under 14 need one too?
Yes, if they are fishing for or taking
lobster. So if an adult and child are on a boat and they return with a limit for
the adult and one for the child, then the child must have a card.
What's going to be the process to submit this card?
Return it to the
address specified on the card by January 31.
The card requirement will take effect when the season opens fall, 2008. The
December issue of the Marine Management News newsletter, set to be posted on the
Web site shortly, will feature an article describing the new regulations for
lobster, sturgeon, abalone, salmon and steelhead. One of the best ways to stay
up-to-date on changing regulations is to sign up for the Marine Region
Electronic News and Information Service at http://www.fgc.ca.gov/regulations/current/fishregs.asp#lobster.
When you subscribe to the service, you will receive e-mail notification of press
releases, newsletters, and other informational bulletins. It's a great way to
stay informed. If you haven't already done so, I'd encourage you to sign up!
Please don't hesitate to contact me with further questions you may have.
yours,
Mary Patyten
Research Writer
California Department of Fish and
Game
Marine Region
19160 S. Harbor Dr.
Fort Bragg, CA
95437 |
