Species
|
CA Spiny lobster, Panulirus interruptus |
Life history
(biology, habitat, range) |
Mexico to Monterey Bay, CA
Rocky habitat from intertidal out to average 240’; may forage in sandy bottoms
Mating Nov-May
Long-lived; reach maturity 5-6 yrs and legal size 7-11 yrs
Eelgrass important nursery habitat |
Stock assessment status |
No formal assessment |
Vulnerability |
No formal, but concerns about decrease in average commercial weight landed (now 1.25-2 lb; was 3.5-4 lb 100+ years ago) |
Protected/declared species interactions |
Unknown |
Gear types |
Trap only |
Gear specifications |
at least one escape port for juvenile lobsters
an approved destruct device
minimum mesh size on interior |
Associated conservation concerns |
Fishery capacity (commercial and rec); unknown ecological impacts of commercial scale removals of lobster (an important kelp forest predator) |
Management, commercial |
Jurisdiction(s) |
Fish and Game Commission (Legislature granted it authority to manage in 1961 and further to limit # permits in 1986) |
FMP |
No, but a priority listed by DFG |
Code sections |
Title 14 §§121-22 and FGC §§56, 2365, 8250-4, 8257-8 |
TAC |
No
Average landings weight was 735,318 lbs. for 1997-2007
2006 commercial landings weight was 888,800 lbs for a value of $8,133,207 (see graphs below) |
Restricted access |
1996 start; transferable and some non-transferable Lobster Operator permits (212 issued in 2007)
Landings requirements to be eligible for transferable permits
Max 10 transfers per permit year until April 1, 2008, after which unlimited transfers
Lobster crewmember permit – open access
Logbook requirement (daily log) – in place since 1973
Exact capacity level unknown, but likely number of traps increasing slightly (average # traps per fisherman now estimated 100-500, occasionally 750; up from 2001 estimate of 100-300, occasionally 500
CPUE (catch per trap) may be available from DFG and should be assessed for any decline |
Current seasons, size limits, other restrictions |
Only in Districts 18, 19, 20A and 20 S of Santa Catalina
Early Oct – mid-March
3.25” minimum size limit
Only crab (not Dungeness), Kellet’s whelk, and octopus may be incidental catch
No setting traps at night |
Fishery closures/ MPAs |
State marine reserves and parks (i.e. Channel Islands)
No traps within 750’ of jetty or pier
No traps in Newport Bay, Dana Point Harbor, or Oceanside Harbor |
Proposed regulations |
None currently |
Recreational component |
Gears fished |
Primarily dive; baited hoop nets may be used |
Code sections |
14 CCR §§ 29.90-29.91 |
Regulations |
Bag limit of 7 lobsters/day
Lobster report card required beginning Oct 2008
S of Pt Arguello, Hoop net max of 5/person or 10/boat
No spears, hooked poles, or similar may be used
Same season and minimum size limits as commercial
Ocean enhancement stamp and valid rec license required |
RecFIN/ CRFS info |
Total rec take unknown, but use of modified hoop nets increasing according to a 1007-08 DFG Creel Survey
Take of undersized lobsters in recreational fishery is a growing concern; the recent creel survey indicated significant numbers of “shorts” in some areas |
Social context |
Participation statewide |
212 Operator permits and 145 crewmember permits |
Participation by area |
S California sees largest concentration of commercial and recreational fisheries |
Fishing and trade organizations |
California Lobster and Trap Association |
Seafood industry context |
Product forms |
Live; frozen lobster tails
California spiny lobster accounts for 2% of the total US spiny lobster market |
Seafood selector status |
Seafood Watch Green status – best choice |
MSC certification status |
N/A (although some industry members have expressed interest in pursuing) |
Potential for value added |
More information needed |
Miscellaneous |
Sources |
DFG Marine Region 2004. Annual Status of the Fisheries Report Through 2003. Spiny lobster http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/status/report2003/spinylobster.pdf
DFG Marine Region 2001. California’s Living Marine Resources: A Status Report. Spiny lobster http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/status/ca_spiny_lobster.pdf |
