Divers and hoopnetters are reminded that the deadline for returning 2017-2018 Spiny Lobster Report Cards is approaching. Report card holders must submit report card information online or return their cards to the address printed on the card by April 30, 2018. Information collected from the cards provides the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) with data necessary to monitor and manage California’s spiny lobster fishery. Continue reading
As the popular recreational California spiny lobster season prepares to open on Saturday, Sept. 30, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) reminds divers and hoop netters of new regulations that will be in effect for the 2017-2018 season. The California Fish and Game Commission adopted commercial and recreational lobster fishing regulations at its April 2016 meeting to support the implementation of the California Spiny Lobster Fishery Management Plan. A summary of the new recreational Continue reading
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) reminds 2016-2017 Spiny Lobster Report Card holders to submit their report card data online or return their report cards by April 30, 2017 as required by law. Cardholders should review their cards carefully and check that the information recorded is complete and accurate. Information collected from the cards provides CDFW with data necessary to monitor and manage California’s spiny lobster fishery. Continue reading
At its April 13, 2016 meeting, the California Fish and Game Commission (FGC) adopted a California Spiny Lobster Fishery Management Plan (FMP) that puts into place a cohesive management strategy to guide the future sustainable management of California’s recreational and commercial lobster fisheries, as required by the Marine Life Management Act.
The FGC’s adoption of the FMP is the culmination of four years of a collaborative development process that began in the spring Continue reading
With the upcoming 2015-2016 recreational lobster fishing season fast approaching, many are rushing out to purchase their required spiny lobster report cards. If you step up to the cash register to find that you need to pay a non-return fee, that can only be because one or more of your lobster report cards from last season was not reported or received by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) by the due date. Over 6,500 lobster report cards were received at CDFW’s San Diego office by the April 30 deadline this year, and all of those cards have been entered into the Automated License Data System.
The non-return fee was adopted by the California Fish and Game Commission in 2013 to improve report card return rates. CDFW staff do not have the authority to exempt or refund the non-return fee for cards that were not received by the April 30 deadline. Pursuant to the California Code of Regulations, cards that were submitted by mail and not received by CDFW are considered not returned, including those that are lost in the mail. Per California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 1.74(e)(3):
“If a report card is submitted by mail and not received by the Department, it is considered not returned unless the individual reports his card as lost pursuant to subsection 1.74(f).”
To ensure that you do not have to pay a fee in the future, remember to report every card that you purchased, including lost cards, by April 30 following the end of the lobster season, as specified on the card and as required by California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 1.74(d)(3). CDFW recommends reporting online and saving your confirmation number, which Continue reading
