California Lobstermen Plead Guilty to Illegally Taking Spiny Lobster

On Monday, California lobster fishermen plead guilty to illegally taking spiny lobster. The plea agreement calls for the fishermen to pay a $6,000 fine and restitution of $6,000.

In addition, they will be banned from fishing for spiny lobster for three years. The men were accused of taking 104 spiny lobster out of season in October and November of 2016.

California's spiny lobster season runs from October 15th through March 31st. The men were caught in a state Fish and Wildlife sting operation.

"Taking spiny lobsters during closed season not only costs law-abiding anglers opportunities to harvest this valuable resource, but also creates an unlevel playing field in the industry," said department spokeswoman Rebecca Millican.

Illegal fishing is a common problem in California. In May of 2017, nine commercial crab fishermen were charged with illegally taking Dungeness crab.

Study Shows Spiny Lobster Population is Stable and Healthy

A recent study conducted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has found that the spiny lobster population in the Florida Keys is stable and healthy. The study, which was conducted over a two-year period, used a variety of research methods, including aerial surveys, trapping, and genetic analysis, to assess the health of the spiny lobster population.

The study found that there are approximately 240 million spiny lobsters in the Florida Keys, and that this population is healthy and sustainable. The study also found that spiny lobster fishing in the Keys is not having a significant impact on the overall population.

This positive news for the spiny lobster population comes as a relief to many conservationists, who were concerned about the health of this species in light of recent reports of disease outbreaks among Caribbean spiny lobsters. The FWC's study shows that the Florida Keys spiny lobster population is doing well, and that there is no need for alarm.

This study should help to allay fears among potential investors in the Florida Keys fisheries industry, and it is likely to increase interest in this sector among those who are looking for sustainable seafood options. The findings of this study will also be beneficial for efforts to create a Spiny Lobster Management Area in the Florida Keys.

Florida Anglers Net Record Spiny Lobster

A team of anglers fishing off the coast of Florida netted an impressive spiny lobster Wednesday, breaking the state record for the species.

The lobster, weighing in at 16 pounds and measuring almost 26 inches long, was caught by a group of fishermen near Publix Supermarket in North Key Largo.

"We were actually targeting red snapper and king mackerel when we reeled this big boy in," said Michael Murphy, one of the fishermen involved in the catch. "It was a total surprise."

Murphy and his friends contacted the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) soon after catching the lobster to have it officially weighed and measured. Officials with FWC verified that the spiny lobster surpassed the previous state record by more than two pounds.

The previous record spiny lobster was caught off Islamorada in October 2009 by a group of anglers led by Captain Paul Hepler. That lobster weighed in at 13 pounds, 8 ounces.

FWC has not yet announced what action, if any, will be taken regarding the new state record. Under Florida law, a 16-pound spiny lobster would be classified as a "majestic" creature and could not be harvested unless it was caught accidentally while targeting other species.

Maine Cracker Barrel restaurants add spiny lobster dishes to menus

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - Cracker Barrel Old Country Store is adding spiny lobster dishes to its menus at its restaurants in Maine.

The Lebanon, Tennessee-based company says the new items will include a lobster and crab bisque, a lobster roll served cold or hot, and a lobster tail dinner. The dishes will be available starting Tuesday.

Maine is the country's top lobster producer.

Researchers Uncover Surprising Secrets of Spiny Lobster

There are creatures in the ocean that are both strange and beautiful. The spiny lobster is one of these. With a long, spiny tail, they are easily identifiable. And while they may look fierce, they are actually quite gentle and make for a tasty seafood dish.

What most people don't know about these creatures is that they are quite intelligent. Researchers at the University of Portsmouth have been studying their behavior and found some surprising secrets.

For example, it turns out that spiny lobsters can communicate with each other using loud clicks. They use these clicks to warn others about predators or to signal when it's safe to come out of hiding.

The researchers also discovered that spiny lobsters can learn from their mistakes. If they get into a situation where they're unable to escape, they will remember that spot and try not to go back there again.

This intelligence makes spiny lobsters a valuable resource for scientists who are researching ways to protect marine life from predators. Their understanding of how these creatures think and behave could help us find better ways to protect them.