Can We Team Dive for Lobsters?

January 21, 2010

Question: I’ve got a question regarding situations when buddies are diving together for lobsters. Each diver has a license, bag and measuring device but one is experienced and the other is a rookie. The skilled diver gets his limit and finds out the other diver isn’t getting anything. The skilled diver then continues diving with the intention of helping out his buddy, but because they are separated, he puts the overlimit of bugs in his own bag, with the intention to transfer the extras to his buddy while still in the water. In other words, the bugs will be placed in another bag “during the hunt” for when they regroup. Is it legal for one diver to get a second limit of lobsters for his buddy who is having trouble getting his limit? (Jim C., Redondo Beach)

Answer: No. Each diver may only take and possess their own limit (currently seven lobsters), and may not take additional lobsters on any day after taking a limit. Diving is not a team sport in this sense. Once the diver takes game in excess of the legal daily bag limit and they are under his control, he is in possession of an overlimit.

Teaching a new diver to take bugs requires patience and sacrifice. It may take a while for a new diver to learn and get the hang of it, but other divers can’t help to fill his bag in the meantime. The same goes for all other species of fish and game, except for the few species and circumstances where “boat limits” apply (California Code of Regulations, section 27.60(c)).