Lobster Report Card: Do You Need One?

September 11, 2008

Question: I’ve heard that this year we will be required to buy a lobster report card. Is this true? Why are they being required and what will we have to do?

Answer: Yes, beginning this year Spiny Lobster Report cards are required for every person who fishes for lobsters. This includes persons who are not required to have a California sport fishing license, such as children under the age of 16 or people fishing from a public pier in ocean waters. The card costs $7.90 and may be purchased from all DFG license offices and most independent license agents. Report cards are valid from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31 and must be returned to the DFG no later than Jan. 31 of the following year (therefore, cards bought in 2008 are due back to the DFG by Jan. 31, 2009).

The 2008-2009 season runs from Sept. 27 through March 18. Report cards must be carried by hoop netters, and divers must keep it with their fishing license. If a lobster fisherman fills up a card before the current calendar year ends, the card can be returned and a new one purchased.

The purpose of the Spiny Lobster Report Card is to allow DFG biologists to find out how many people are fishing for lobster, how long it takes to catch them, how many are being harvested, what type of gear is being used and where they are being caught. With this information, biologists can determine whether the lobster resource is healthy and if current fishing regulations are working correctly. Without fishing regulations, California’s marine resources would not remain sustainable and some species might even eventually disappear completely.