Calling all divers - Spiny lobster season opens tomorrow

The spiny lobster season opens on October 1 in California. At 1minute past midnight recreational lobster fishermen can take the big plunge. At the same time a big scraping noise can be heard all along the California cost line as spiny lobster scramble into their hiding holes.
The season ends on March 21, 2012.
Recreational lobster fishermen can take lobster by hoop netting or diving.


Before I lost my boat in a severe storm I have splashed into the frigid waters around around Catalina Island many times.

In their latest press release DFG sums up the most pertinent lobster regulations for 2011/2012 as follows:


" • Anglers (16 years or older) must possess a valid sport fishing license, enhancement stamp and a lobster report card.
• Children who are under 16 and fishing for lobster must possess a lobster report card.
• Lobster report cards need to be filled out while you are on your fishing trip. Prior to the start of your fishing activity, the card holder must record the month, day, location and gear code on the card.
• When finished fishing or changing locations the fishermen must immediately record the number of lobster taken from that location.

A California Spiny Lobster off the Southern California Coast. DFG photo by Derek Stein

Lobster report cards must be returned to the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) by the end of January of the following year regardless of whether you used the card or were able to catch any lobster. This information is extremely valuable for management, so please don’t forget to turn in your cards. Anglers who fill up a report card can turn in their card and purchase another.
• Spiny lobster taken must measure at least 3 1/4 inches in length, and are 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.
• The daily bag and possession limit is seven lobsters.
• Divers may take lobsters by hand only.
• For those catching lobster with a Type B hoop net, the upper ring or rings shall be connected to the bottom ring and supported by no more than six rigid support arms, and the assembled frame shall measure no more than 10 inches tall. This is a change in the regulations not printed in the Ocean Regulations or the supplement.
• No more than five hoop nets may be possessed by a person when taking spiny lobster or crab. No more than 10 hoop nets may be possessed aboard a vessel, regardless of how many fishermen are onboard.

Complete details are on the DFG website.
PJJ

PS: As of this writing wild pigs have not yet been observed diving for lobster.