Interesting lobster regulation

[Ken Kurtis]

Tim Burke and i were talking tonight about lobster opening dates. I happened to go to the DF&G website (http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/faqindx.asp#spinylobster) and saw this interesting tidbit. Pay particular attention to the last sentencein the answer:
-------------------------------------------
Q. What is the daily bag limit for lobster? The possession limit?

A. According to Section 29.90(b) T14, CCR, the daily recreational bag limit is seven lobsters per person. Additionally, Section 1.17 states that no more than one daily bag limit may be taken or possessed by any one person unless otherwise authorized (see Declaration for Multi-Day Fishing Trip, Section 27.15 T14, CCR), regardless of whether they are fresh, frozen or otherwise preserved. This means that if you have a limit of seven lobsters at home, you cannot go out and get more lobsters until the first limit is disposed of in some way (eaten, given away, etc).
--------------------------------------------
I don't for one minute think anyhone's been busted for this . . . BUT . . . I certainly know of divers who boast of having a freezer-full of lobsters at home and continue to take more and that's always bugged me a bit. (And admittedly, I'm a non-hunter.) Take what you can eat.

Thoughts? And more importantly, if this interpretation is correct, will it change the way you take lobsters this year?

 

[tc]

If simply interpreted possession would include those at home. But the chance of F&G checking your freezer (at home) is pretty unlikely.

Since I can never catch many it's not a problem.

 

[Codyjp]

Seems like you summed it up with the 'don't take more then you will eat.' I am not anti hunter by any means but nothing annoys me more than taking game just for fun or sport!

 

[Codyjp]

After second though, if you can't get your neighbors to partake in a lobster cookout you are a loser!

 

[Empty V]

I called DFG last year when I was trying to figure out if limits were imposed over a 24 hour period or a calendar day. After talking to 4 different people at the DFG we finally reached the conclusion you stated above. Kind of a funny law.

Billy

 

[MaxBottomtime]

We had this discussion last season on DiveVets. One woman insisted that she would continue to take lobsters and claim the ones in her freezer belonged to her husband. I had a buddy who used to keep some live lobsters in aquariums so he could still have fresh bugs during the summer. I'm always amazed the way normal, law-abiding citizens get so greedy when it comes to lobster.

 

[Sam Miller III]

Bag limits are bag limits.

The bag limit is currently seven (7) lobsters--no more! A buddy team, a husband and wife, an adult and a child, the limit for the bag is 7, no more. Therefore it is imperative that a team use two bags if the catch is over 7 bugs.

Historically "in possession" has always been in place but equally ignored by recreational divers and law enforcement , except when there has been an arrest and there is possible criminal intent; poaching in restricted areas, out of season catches, grossly over limits, selling recreational game catches, etc. At that time search warrants are often issued and freezers and refrigerators are searched and contents seized as further evidence of criminal activity.

Lobsters, and all seafood has an active freezer life of about six (6) months. After six months of storage sea food often becomes dry, leathery and suitable for fertilizer or cat food.

sdm

SAM MILLER,
NAUI INSTRUCTOR # 27 (twenty-seven)

 

[MissyP]

One woman insisted that she would continue to take lobsters and claim the ones in her freezer belonged to her husband. I had a buddy who used to keep some live lobsters in aquariums so he could still have fresh bugs during the summer.

Thats pathetic... I have 2 dive buddies (well they're not buddies during lobster season) who do the same thing-- they go out daily, bag their 7 each and stuff them in the freezer... Then brag about how full their freezer is.... THEN still go out and get more. Its sad how greedy people can be sometimes.

 

[Damselfish]

how would they know you didn't buy lobsters at the store and put them in the freezer?

 

[Empty V]

how would they know you didn't buy lobsters at the store and put them in the freezer?

I personally have never seen Pacific Spiny Lobster sold in a store, or even a restaurant above the Mexican border. I'm guessing that it's not a commercially viable catch.

Billy