Shrimp Fishing

May 23, 2013

Question: I would like to do some shrimp fishing but when I read the regulations, they say shrimp traps can’t have an opening larger than a half-inch in diameter in waters south of Point Conception. This makes it impossible to catch any of decent size. Are there different regs for spot prawns which are quite large and could never fit through this size hole? (Jesse Link)

Answer: Your reading of the regulations is correct on the size of the trap opening, and you are also right about the opening size making it impossible to catch large spot prawn. According to California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) senior marine invertebrate specialist Kristine Barsky, when that regulation was developed, there was no interest in catching spot prawn recreationally. The reason was because they are found so deep (80 to 100 fathoms) and it is time-consuming to raise and lower traps to that depth when the daily bag limit is only 35 shrimp. In more northern states spot prawns are found in shallower water, but off Southern California they stay deep. The opening was kept small to prevent take of short lobster in this area.

As always, you are free to develop suggestions for regulation changes that you may present to the Fish and Game Commission. For more information regarding this process, contact the California Fish and Game Commission at [email protected] or visit their website at www.fgc.ca.gov.

Do spiny lobster even live in waters 80-100 fathoms deep?!

Do spiny lobster even live in waters 80-100 fathoms deep?!

I don't think so. That's why the regulation is clumsy. It was written to protect lobster from incidental catch in the shallow water coonstripe fishery with no regard for a possible recreational spot prawn fishery.
BTW, my guess it's that 35 spot prawn could weigh in at around 15lbs. Not too shabby for a daily bag limit. Especially when you consider the wholesale price for them is around $15/lbs.
For those of you who haven't tried them they are in my opinion the best tasting crustacean on our coast.

Is there a commercial fishery for spot prawns?

Is there a commercial fishery for spot prawns?

There use to be a spot prawner out of Monterey, until the MLPA closed his grounds.

-Allen

There were also a few guys running out of Bodega to the Cordells  catching a few shrimp till MLPA shut them down also. No big seasons just a few bucks when salmon or crab were off or slow.

I believe there were about a dozen permits in CA. Of those, maybe 4 were based in Mbay (deep submarine canyon). I know one of the guys who runs outta Moss still operates his traps. Years ago I was invited to join him and I didn't have the time or motivation...and I still regret not going. I think Jerry has helped him a few times because I remember seeing pics of those tasty buggers. You can usually buy them from Monterey Fish Co too. But the season is closed May-July, I think.
Looks like there was 43K lbs harvested from Mbay in 2012: https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=71922&inline=true
More DFG info from 2006: https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=34419
 

Is there a commercial fishery for spot prawns?

Yes. Rick on the the Pale Horse out of HMB harbor has a permit and actively fishes them. He's got gear in the water right now. I believe from time to time he does dock sales. Check with fishline.com for availability

Amaebi heads!!!

-Allen

Sharky, that website went POOF!

Sharky, that website went POOF!

Darn it..I'll ask them what's up with that. I guess you can only access them by getting the app FishLine. I just checked it and it's working It's handy if you buy fresh seafood regularly, but they should get the website back up.

Sharky,
 
Do you know if Rick also fishes for Ridgies?

thanks,
Nate

I don't tHink so.