Last Chance for CA Spiny Lobsters this Winter!

We’re on our way this morning to the Ventura Harbor Fish Market to pick up one last lobster this season: the season closes on Wednesday so this is the last day  fisher folk can bring their catch including tuna and shrimp to sell directly to customers who get there early enough!

According to the State of California, recreational lobster season runs from the Saturday preceding the first Wednesday in October through the first Wednesday after the 15th of March–that’s this coming up Wednesday. To learn more about the regs,  pick up a spiny lobster brochure, which contains a summary of information about the new lobster report card, basic lobster fishing rules, and lobster life history information, at selected DFG offices in coastal Southern California, or view it on the DFG Web site (Adobe Reader required, File size 2.7 MB).

Most people don’t know we have lobsters here on the Pacific Coast. There aren’t as many around here and we certainly don’t have a huge export market like they do in Maine. In fact it’s more like a local secret and delicacy.

Male California spiny lobsters can live up to 30 years, and females at least 20 years. There are records of male California spiny lobster weighing over 26 pounds and attaining lengths up to three feet. Today, lobsters over five pounds are considered trophy-size.  The minimum size limit for recreational fishermen is three and one-fourth inches, measured in a straight line on the midline of the back from the rear edge of the eye socket to the rear edge of the body shell. Source.

You can see a live spiny lobster all year round at the Channel Islands National Park Visitor’s Center located in the Ventura Harbor at the end of Spinnaker Way.