49 undersized lobsters seized on opening weekend of California spiny lobster season; multiple people cited after arrest

California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) officers arrested multiple people on board a fishing vessel after finding 49 undersized lobsters.

According to a release from the California Statewide Law Enforcement Association, CDFW officers were patrolling Long Point State Marine Reserve on October 27, the opening weekend of California spiny lobster season, when they contacted a fishing vessel operating in the area. Officers said they first explained the state's lobster fishing regulations to the people on board and then left. Later that night, officers located the vessel again and decided to board it for a compliance check.

After officers found undersized lobsters on board, they asked the people on board whether they had any other lobsters, and were told no. A subsequent search found 11 more undersized lobsters, 4 hidden in a bucket and 8 hidden in a hatch.

CDFW officers found a total of 55 lobsters on the vessel, 49 of which were determined to be undersized, with another 6 exceeding the legal possession limit.

According to the California Statewide Law Enforcement Association, the people on board were arrested, later released, and issued citations for possessing undersized lobsters and exceeding the daily fishing limit.

In its release, the association said CDFW reminds everyone fishing for lobster that lobsters must be measured immediately after being brought out of the water, and any undersized lobster must be returned to the water immediately; knowing and following fishing regulations helps protect California's marine resources.