I received an email from Department of Fish and Wildlife that I thought I share here.
It relates to upcoming lobster fishing and the new regulations thereof.
Two points stuck out that I almost sent them an email asking if there was a typo with one of them.
It was regarding the start time of the season. It has been changed from 6:00 AM (0600) to 6:00 PM (1800).
Other is the change from Possession limit to Bag limit. Thus, unlike before, you can hoop net next day even if you have unconsumed lobsters from previous day. Which is great.
Also no hoop netting allowed 24 hrs. prior to the opener start time.
Other regulations seem to be the same.
Below are the new regulations. Good luck everyone.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Recreational Lobster Fishing Information
California's coastal waters are home to a multitude of invertebrates (species lacking a bony skeleton). The California spiny lobster (Panulirus interruptus) takes a particularly special place within this group as a highly sought-after target of both California's recreational and commercial fisheries. Below is a summary of spiny lobster regulations for the 2023-24 season.
Recreational lobster season opens at 6:00 p.m. on the Friday preceding the first Wednesday in October and closes at 12:00 a.m. on the first Wednesday (night) after the 15th of March.
Recreational Bag Limit: Seven lobsters per person.
Minimum Legal Size Limit: Three and one-fourth inches, measured in a straight line on the midline of the back from the rear edge of the eye socket to the rear edge of the body shell (3 ¼ inch carapace). Please see the lobster measurement diagram (PDF)(opens in new tab) on how to measure your lobster.
Permit Requirements: CDFW Spiny Lobster Report Card and California recreational fishing license, available at CDFW's Online License Sales and Service. An Ocean Enhancement Validation is also required if fishing in ocean waters south of Point Arguello (Santa Barbara County), unless fishing under the authority of a one- or two-day California recreational fishing license.
Skin and SCUBA Diver Gear Requirements: All skin and SCUBA divers must only use their hands to take lobster.
Pier Fishing Gear Requirements: You may use up to 2 hoop nets while fishing from a public pier.
Vessel Fishing Gear Requirements: You may possess up to 5 hoop nets while fishing from a vessel, but the total number of hoop nets from a vessel cannot exceed 10, even if there are more than 2 people on the boat
Fishing Locations: See the CDFW Ocean Sport Fishing Interactive Web Map(opens in new tab).
Hoop Nets Prohibited 24 Hours Prior to the Season Opener: Hoop nets may not be deployed south of Point Arguello, Santa Barbara County during the 24 hours leading up to the recreational lobster season opener.
It relates to upcoming lobster fishing and the new regulations thereof.
Two points stuck out that I almost sent them an email asking if there was a typo with one of them.
It was regarding the start time of the season. It has been changed from 6:00 AM (0600) to 6:00 PM (1800).
Other is the change from Possession limit to Bag limit. Thus, unlike before, you can hoop net next day even if you have unconsumed lobsters from previous day. Which is great.
Also no hoop netting allowed 24 hrs. prior to the opener start time.
Other regulations seem to be the same.
Below are the new regulations. Good luck everyone.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Recreational Lobster Fishing Information
California's coastal waters are home to a multitude of invertebrates (species lacking a bony skeleton). The California spiny lobster (Panulirus interruptus) takes a particularly special place within this group as a highly sought-after target of both California's recreational and commercial fisheries. Below is a summary of spiny lobster regulations for the 2023-24 season.
Recreational lobster season opens at 6:00 p.m. on the Friday preceding the first Wednesday in October and closes at 12:00 a.m. on the first Wednesday (night) after the 15th of March.
Recreational Bag Limit: Seven lobsters per person.
Minimum Legal Size Limit: Three and one-fourth inches, measured in a straight line on the midline of the back from the rear edge of the eye socket to the rear edge of the body shell (3 ¼ inch carapace). Please see the lobster measurement diagram (PDF)(opens in new tab) on how to measure your lobster.
Permit Requirements: CDFW Spiny Lobster Report Card and California recreational fishing license, available at CDFW's Online License Sales and Service. An Ocean Enhancement Validation is also required if fishing in ocean waters south of Point Arguello (Santa Barbara County), unless fishing under the authority of a one- or two-day California recreational fishing license.
Skin and SCUBA Diver Gear Requirements: All skin and SCUBA divers must only use their hands to take lobster.
Pier Fishing Gear Requirements: You may use up to 2 hoop nets while fishing from a public pier.
Vessel Fishing Gear Requirements: You may possess up to 5 hoop nets while fishing from a vessel, but the total number of hoop nets from a vessel cannot exceed 10, even if there are more than 2 people on the boat
Fishing Locations: See the CDFW Ocean Sport Fishing Interactive Web Map(opens in new tab).
Hoop Nets Prohibited 24 Hours Prior to the Season Opener: Hoop nets may not be deployed south of Point Arguello, Santa Barbara County during the 24 hours leading up to the recreational lobster season opener.
