Measuring Lobsters

December 9, 2010

Question:A few years ago we were told we can only keep lobsters that don’t fit inside the 3¼ inch gauge at all, or those that stick so firmly inside the gauge between the head and the end of its back that even if you hold the lobster upside down, it won’t fall off. Is this correct? Does the lobster have to be 100 percent wedged into the gauge and not fall off of it without assistance to be legal? (Jeff D., Carlsbad)

Answer: The legal-size lobster is one with a carapace that is larger than or equal to the gauge’s cutout with no wiggle room. Be sure to measure the length of the carapace along the midline from the rear edge of the eye socket (between the horns) to the rear edge of the carapace. This straight-line measurement must be a minimum of 3 ¼ inches. If the lobster is too small, it should immediately be released back into the water. Undersized lobster should never be brought aboard a vessel, or ashore if diving from the beach.

A measurement diagram is located in the brochure located on our website at http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/pdfs/lobsterbrochure.pdf or on page 80 of the current Ocean Sport Fishing regulations booklet. You might also be interested in the California spiny lobster information available on the Invertebrate Management Project webpage at http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/invertebrate.