New Lobster Regulations for California

C-Hawk

The DFG, in all their wisdom, has a new regulation for the taking of Spiney Lobster this year.
We are now required to purchase a punch card to record when, where and how we catch our lobster.
Here's a Brochure from DFG.
The card will cost us $7.50 a card and will be from Jan. 1 to Dec 31. This will require us to purchase at least two cards each season as our season runs from Oct to March. If you fill a card you can purchase another one.

Sea Wolf · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 11:19 pm Post subject:

No apology from me, Roger, but it's my understanding the Fish and Game people go to tags for certain fish, birds, and mammals in order to curtail and control the folks who exceed the seasonal limits.

I'm sure you're not one of those and it seems like an inconvenience and an unnecessary expense, but I do know there are those who poach as much as they can get away with.

Regards,

Joe. Teeth

C-Hawk · Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 1:40 am Post subject:

Joe,

I agree with you.

I try to leave the larger ones, as they are the most productive breeders.

I knew this was going to happen years ago, when they shut down 12% of our islands to fishing (some of the better areas) a lot of guys started hoop netting for bugs. It was just a matter of time.

The only expense for me is the card-- I don't buy licenses any more-- I have a lifetime hunting and fishing license

Roger

jlastofka · Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 3:59 pm Post subject: California Lobster tax

I agree that another $7.50 tax sucks.

The logic about having to buy two per season is a little flawed, however. You buy one per year and it covers two separate "half seasons" = another way to look at it.

The result is that if you're lobstering every year, you'll buy one $7.50 additional-state-tax-fee-disguised-as-a-report-card per year.

At least I think I understand this right. This is the first year I'll be attempting this stuff so I'm just beginning to read about it. I think you said something about filling it up and having to buy another. More reading I need to do.

Jeff