New Regulations for Recreational Lobster Fishing, Report Card Results Available

Divers looking to take spiny lobster will want to review new regulations for this season. CDFW photo by D. Stein

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

Gearing Up for Abalone Season

Choppy water off the north coast. CDFW photo by L. Lopez

Every spring at the start of abalone season, thousands of people gear up and head out to their favorite spot on the north coast to rock-pick or dive for red abalone. Strong winds often accompany the spring months, which can make ocean waters rough. Between 1993 and 2012 more than 54 people lost their lives while trying to take abalone in a variety of circumstances including rough weather, and every year

CDFW Reminds Divers and Hoopnetters: Time to Submit 2016-2017 Spiny Lobster Report Cards

Scuba diver with a nice lobster.  CDFW photo by D. Stein

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.

Good To Know: Lobster Report Card Non-Return Fees

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

2014-2015 Recreational Spiny Lobster Effort and Catch Estimates Available

Estimates Possible Thanks to Lobster Report Card Returns

California spiny lobsters

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has generated estimates of recreational spiny lobster catch and effort for the most recent lobster fishing season, based on data collected from lobster report cards.  CDFW thanks everyone who returned their lobster report card(s) on time this year, as required by law.

Over 36,000 lobster report cards were sold for the 2014-2015 lobster fishing season, of which approximately 54 percent were either reported online or mailed to the San Diego office.