CDFW Issues Citations For Illegal Take Of Spiny Lobsters In Santa Monica

Spiny lobster poachers in Santa Monica are facing stiff fines and even jail time following a California Department of Fish and Wildlife bust. Here’s more from a CDFW Facebook post:

Although the spiny lobster season closed on March 18, that has not deterred those who choose to violate the law.

Recently, CDFW wildlife officers from across Southern California came together to apprehend lobster poachers at the Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles County. The suspects involved took sophisticated measures to conceal their activities but despite their best efforts, wildlife officers identified and apprehended those involved.

During this enforcement operation, wildlife officers and their specially trained canines located lobsters hidden in duffel bags, backpacks, vehicles and a baby stroller. Officers seized 34 lobsters as evidence, which included several egg-bearing females, and returned the lobsters back to the ocean alive.

Each female produces one brood of between 50,000 to 800,000 eggs per year, which it carries for approximately 10 weeks. The loss of an egg-bearing female lobster can have a substantial impact on the health of the lobster fishery and directly impacts legal anglers. During this operation, a total of six suspects were arrested for violations that included take of lobster out of season, exceeding the daily bag limits of lobster, take of undersized lobster, take of lobster by hook and line and possession of more than triple the daily bag limit of lobster. The penalties for such crimes are severe – up to $1,000 per violation or up to one year in jail.

To report a wildlife crime in progress, call CALTIP 24/7 at 888-334-CALTIP (888-334-2258) or submit a tip through the free “tip411” phone app.

More information can be found online here: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Enforcement/CALTIP.

All reports can be made anonymously, and you may be eligible for a cash reward depending on the circumstances of the case.