Friendly reminder (in the event that CDFW did not send you an email) that the 2023-2024 Spiny Lobster season ended on 20 March, and report cards are due submitted by end of April. You can mail them in or go to the CDFW website and report, it's pretty intuitive and only takes a few minutes.
To all the non-CA Ohana, they use the reporting info in forecasting for the following year, and reporting late or failure to report results in fines/penalties when you attempt to purchase future licenses or reports. - john
The fishery here (Kalifornia) is so mismanaged and over regulated that my friends and I have got into the habit of not cooperating with fish count biologist at the landing.
We're polite but unless they are law enforcment they aren't seeing my fish.
Wish we had Bugs this far north!
I believe there are other report cards due at various times of the year.
Sturgeon comes to mind.
Data is imporntant but like us north of the border, the OR/CAL border, our dear leaders see this as another oppertunity to get into our wallets.
I have established a good rapore with the fish checkers at the ports I fish out of and their top boss is also a good friend. The data they collect could help us, or hurt us depending on who is in power.