I Caught a Tagged Lobster Now What Do I Do?

October 11, 2012

Question: While out lobster fishing last weekend, I caught a lobster with a tag attached to it. What should I do with it? (Anonymous, San Diego)

Answer: Most lobster tags are small colored strips of plastic inserted into the underside or back of the lobster. Look closely for a unique identification code (tag number) and phone number (or website) printed on the tag. Please record the date, location where the lobster was caught (GPS coordinates are best, but distance to a recognized landmark will work if you don’t have a GPS), the carapace length of the lobster (to the nearest millimeter, if possible) and the tag number. All four pieces of information (date, location, length and tag number) are important when reporting a tagged lobster to scientists.

Lobsters may be brought to the surface to measure. However, if the lobster is less than legal size and is tagged, please quickly record the number on the tag and immediately release the lobster. Do not remove tags from any short lobsters. No undersize lobster (even if tagged) may be brought aboard a boat, placed in any type of receiver or retained in any manner.

In 2011 and 2012, scientists from the Department of Fish and Game (DFG), San Diego Oceans Foundation, San Diego State University and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla collaborated with lobster fishermen and volunteers on a project to tag and monitor thousands of lobsters in Southern California. By reporting tagged lobsters, the data can then be analyzed to determine current abundance levels, size composition of the population, and movement and growth of individuals over time.

To learn more about the tagging programs or to report a lobster tagged with a blue, yellow, or green tag, please visit www.taggedlobster.com