California Spiny Lobster Season Opens With Record-Breaking Catch

The California spiny lobster season kicked off over the weekend with a bang, as fishermen pulled in a record-breaking catch.

The spiny lobster is a type of crustacean that is found in the waters off California. The season for catching them runs from October through March.

This year's opening day catch was the largest ever, with fishermen bringing in 9,000 pounds of spiny lobster.

The record-breaking haul was celebrated by local fishermen and businesses, who anticipate a boon to the local economy thanks to the influx of visiting lobster lovers.

For seafood lovers looking to get their fill of spiny lobster this season, there are plenty of restaurants and seafood markets throughout California that are serving up this delicious crustacean.

If you're looking to try your hand at catching your own spiny lobster, be sure to check with the state Fish and Game Commission for up-to-date regulations and licensing requirements.

California's Spiny Lobster Fishery Rebounds Thanks To New Management Practices

California lobster fishing industry is bouncing back due to new management practices and a focus on quality over quantity.

Since 2004, the California spiny lobster fishery has seen a steady increase in landings. The total value of the catch has more than doubled, from $11 million in 2004 to over $24 million in 2017.

The resurgence of the fishery is due to several factors, including a reduction in the number of traps fished per vessel and better fishing practices that target larger lobsters. The average size of landed lobsters has increased from 5.9 pounds in 2004 to 7.4 pounds in 2017.

The success of the California spiny lobster fishery is good news for both fishermen and consumers. Lobsters are a high-value seafood species, and Californians can now enjoy some of the best tasting lobsters in the world.

Oregon Spiny Lobster Season Extended By 1 Month

Oregon's commercial spiny lobster season will be extended by one month, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announced today. The season extension will add an additional 30 days to the current season, which is set to expire on Dec. 31.

The extension applies to both recreational and commercial fishermen, who will now have from Jan. 1-March 31 to harvest spiny lobster in Oregon's territorial waters. The daily bag limit for both recreational and commercial fisherman remains at six lobsters per day.

Lobster industry representatives contacted the department earlier this year to request the extension in order to allow more time for harvest during peak season.

" Based on discussion with the Lobster Advisory Council and other stakeholders, it became clear that an extension of the season would provide more opportunity for all users without significant negative impact to the resource," said Mark Barneclo, ODFW shellfish manager.

ODFW will continue to monitor catch and stock levels during the extended season and may consider adjusting regulations as necessary

Washington Sets Record For Highest Spiny Lobster Price In History

The old adage that there is no such thing as a free lobster may have to be rewritten for Washington state this week as the average price of spiny lobsters broke the $10 per pound barrier for the first time in history.

Dealers and fishermen alike are attributing the high prices to a combination of factors, including China's increasing demand for seafood and Washington's own robust lobster population. With over 2 million pounds harvested each year, Washington's spiny lobster fishery is among the largest on the west coast.

Lobster lovers will need to dig deep into their wallets to indulge, however, as even a modest 3-pound catch can set you back more than $30. But with prices this high, it's no surprise that some enterprising fishermen are now shipping live lobsters all the way to China.

Commercial Fisherman Struggle To Meet Demand For Spiny Lobster

Commercial fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico are struggling to keep up with the demand for spiny lobster, putting a strain on the industry.

The prices for spiny lobster have been high in recent years, and that has led to an increase in the number of commercial fishermen targeting the crustaceans. But the increasing demand has led to overfishing, which is now putting the future of the industry in jeopardy.

According to a recent report from Reuters, some commercial fishermen are now catching fewer than 10 percent of the spiny lobster they were catching a few years ago. That's led to a decline in prices, as well as a decline in the number of boats targeting spiny lobster.

Many fishermen are now looking for other ways to make money, such as fishing for red snapper or grouper. The potential for overfishing is also leading some fishermen to abandon their traditional fishing grounds and search for new areas where spiny lobster can be found.