How to catch a lobster while snorkeling in kauai, hawaii. Unlawful to damage any stony coral by any intentional or negligent activity causing the introduction of sediment, biological contaminants, or pollution into state waters. Many spiny lobsters produce rasping sounds to repel predators by rubbing the plectrum at the base of the spiny lobster s antennae against a file. As they were heading in, he noticed the glow of a lobster s eyes reflecting off his dive light 2025 feet below the surface. The hawaiian spiny lobster has a purple and white banded tail and black legs with a single white stripe. Grab only enough to eat because the ocean is like your refridgerator, you can always go back. It is the subject of extensive commercial and recreational fisheries references. Minimum size 314 inches carapace length no spearing, whole only, not mutilated. Starting may 1st, the creeping crustaceans can safely come out of hiding. Unlike the cold water lobsters from maine, warm water lobsters from places like the caribbean do have a fishing season, which varies by region. Lobster season in the islands runs from september 1, to april 31st.
Scuba diving kona, hawaii lobster cave kona honu divers. Advertiser staff honolulu at the start of the open fishing season for lobster and kona crab, the department of land and natural resources wishes fishers to have a safe and productive fishing experience, and reminds fishers that new laws and rules apply to the open season that began. Proposed rule updates for crabs, lobsters in hawaii hawaii tribune. Hawaiian spiny lobsters panulirus marginatus spawn during the summer months and from november through december. Hawaiian spiny lobsters are important predators and scavengers in the reef community. This section of islands contains numerous banks, reefs and inlets. A recreational fishermen, scuba divers, and snorkelers around the main hawaiian islands must capture lobsters by hand no nets are spears are allowed. If you wish to observe the caribbean spiny lobster, then we suggest you go to cahuita, punta uva and manzanillo during the months of september and october. Many spiny lobsters produce rasping sounds to repel predators by rubbing the plectrum at the base of the spiny lobster. Skyler wilding was freediving with his friend jeremy off the coast of captain cook. The department of land and natural resources dlnr reminds the public that the season for taking ula and ula papapa spiny and slipper lobsters and kona crabs.
The best lobster in island of hawaii updated april 2020. Season for lobster, kona crab ends sunday honolulu star. Closed season runs from may 1 through the end of august and during that time its illegal to take, possess, or. Quite boisterous and very bold, it will ruthlessly defend its territory. Its lobster season in kona hawaii real estate market. Also, any spiny or slipper lobster, or kona crab, caught with eggs must immediately be returned to the waters from which it was taken. Service your equipment every year in advance, before lobster season. Spiny lobsters are found in tropical and subtropical waters of the atlantic ocean, caribbean sea, and the gulf of mexico. To turn a snorkeling trip into a lobster hunt, all a snorkeler needs to do is add some extra equipment, learn about lobster behavior, and follow hawaii s fishing regulations. Open season for the catches will close on sunday through the end of august. We take out catch and bring it back to dangalangs hale for a hawaiian style catch and cook.
The best spiny lobster recipes on yummly lobster bisque, key west pink shrimp and florida spiny lobster tails served with hot key lime butter, grilled lobster. Overfishing forced the closing of commercial lobster fishing in hawaii, and now the only lobsters that can be caught legally are ones that are caught by hand by divers during lobster season from september 1. The recreational lobster fishing season starts at 6. Hawaii administrative rules prohibit the taking, killing, sale or offering for sale, or possession of any ula, also known as spiny lobster panulirus penicillatus, p. Lobster, kona crab season closes may 1 hawaii tribuneherald. Spiny kona lobster and kona crabs, which are indigenous to our waters, and while we may not have a large lobstering fleet here, we do have independent divers and fishermen who bring the crusteceans in. Here is an article talking crab and lobster season here. The california spiny lobster panulirus interruptus takes a particularly special place within this group as a highly soughtafter target of both californias recreational and commercial fisheries. Hawaii lobster season closed until end of august marine. Possession and use of a measuring device required at all times. The closed season on ula spiny lobster, ula papapa slipper lobster and kona crab begins today and runs through the end of august. The closed season for ula spiny lobster, ula papapa slipper lobster and kona crab runs from may 1 through the end of august. The meat of the hawaiian spiny lobster is sweet and very tasty because of the clean waters here.
The open season is coming to an end for ula, known as spiny lobster, ula papapa, known as slipper lobster, and kona crab. From sept to april you can find live, fresh kona lobster. Open season for lobster and kona crab comes to an end big. From may 1 to the end of august, it will be illegal to take, possess, or sell these shellfish, according to the. Hawaii lobster season closed until end of august hawaii. Hawaii lobster season closed until end of august posted on may 16, 2015 by damon the department of land and natural resources dlnr reminds the public that the season for taking ula and ula papapa spiny and slipper lobsters and kona crabs. Find out how to measure a spiny lobster harvest of lobster is prohibited in john pennekamp coral reef state park during the sport season. This recipe for spiny lobster is one of his favorite things to eat with his family. Taking or killing of females is prohibited year round. Spiny lobsters are a popular food item in hawaii as well as elsewhere in the pacific. Hawaii lobster diving fishery mmpa list of fisheries. Hawaiian spiny lobsters on maui wailea realty corp. Sailfish marina celebrates annual spiny lobsterfest. Separating the tail from the body is prohibited in state waters.
Biw staff april 25, 2017 the close of ula spiny lobster, ula papapa slipper lobster and kona crab season is nearing. Hawaii administrative rules har chapters 84, relating to samoan crab, and 89. During that time its illegal to take, possess or sell these. Feb 23, 2012 the hawaiian spiny lobster has a purple and white banded tail and black legs with a single white stripe. Hawaii lobster diving fishery mmpa list of fisheries noaa. If you love your freshcaught local lobster or kona crab, youd best catch it quick because the season closes sunday. We managed to go out and fish a spot filled with invasive snapper and landed a slipper lobster to boot. Growing up on maui and having access to some of the freshest seafood available. He handed jeremy his speargun, dove down, and grabbed the spiny with both hands. The proposed consolidation will place all regulations in one rule chapter. Closed season for lobster and kona crab nears mauiwatch. Division of aquatic resources marine invertebrates and limu. Spiny lobster is the common species, the meat is sweet, great for grilling, steaming, boiling, baking.
All persons age 16 or older who are taking or attempting to take lobster must possess a valid sport fishing license, ocean enhancement stamp and a lobster report card in order to take lobster. Advertiser staff honolulu at the start of the open fishing season for lobster and kona crab, the department of land and natural resources wishes fishers to have a safe and productive fishing experience, and reminds fishers that new laws and rules apply to the open season. During that time its illegal to take, possess, or sell these shellfish. He handed jeremy his speargun, dove down, and grabbed the spiny. Florents guide to the hawaii reefs fish, corals and creatures spiny lobsters reef lobsters slipper lobsters shrimps boxer shrimps mantis shrimps true crabs hermit crabs barnacles. Hawaii lobster trap fishery mmpa list of fisheries noaa. Spiny lobster and slipper lobsters are a treat for your dive bag, and beat safeway. A commercial fishermen catch them using baited wire traps set on the seafloor. Hawaiian catch and cook fresh catch slipper lobster and. Sep 17, 2017 a last minute plan diving with good friends and family.
Spiny and slipper lobster, kona crab seasons closed may through august. Floridas official spiny lobster season, which kicked off wednesday, gets a lively welcome this weekend on singer island. Hawaii lobster, crab season opens with new restrictions. Two less common species are the ridgeback slipper lobster and the chinese slipper lobster. A special mini season a few days before the start of the regular lobster season gives recreational divers a head start in catching them. During that time its illegal to take, possess, or sell. For information on spiny lobster regulations during the sport season and the regular season, visit the fwcs division of marine fisheries management lobster page. However, snorkeling is also a way to put food on the table for a tasty seafood dinner, since spiny lobsters inhabit the holes and cracks of kauais corals and rocks. Every year, the waters surrounding the hawaiian islands attract lobster hunters from all. Jan 26, 2016 the department of land and natural resources dlnr reminds the public that the season for taking ula and ula papapa spiny and slipper lobsters and kona crabs in state waters is closed this month through the end of august. Bugs beneath the surface lobster dive hawaii youtube. In state waters, the spiny lobster and slipper lobster fishery is. To turn a snorkeling trip into a lobster hunt, all a snorkeler needs to do is add some extra equipment, learn about lobster behavior, and follow hawaii. We take out catch and bring it back to dangalangs hale for a hawaiian style catch.
Spiny lobster is the common species, the meat is sweet, great for grilling, steaming, boiling, baking, and even taking the raw meat that was chilled and cubing it up for some ceviche. Growing up on maui and having access to some of the freshest seafood available, i tend to be extremely critical of my seafood. The harvest or possession of eggbearing spiny lobster, or any other eggbearing species of lobster belonging to the families palinuridae spiny lobsters, scyllaridae slipper lobsters or synaxidae furry lobsters is prohibited. Spiny lobster and slipper lobsters are a treat for your dive bag, and beat safeway any day. Honolulu at the start of the open fishing season for lobster and kona crab, the department of land and natural resources wishes fishers to have a safe and productive fishing experience, and reminds fishers that new laws and rules apply to the open season that began sept 1. Apr 27, 2016 during the open season catching, taking or possessing of female spiny and slipper lobsters and female kona crab is prohibited. The painted spiny lobster has never before, to my knowledge, been found in hawaii, although it is common and widelydistributed elsewhere in the tropical indopacific.
The two main species of lobster are the endemic spiny lobster and the slipper lobster. A last minute plan diving with good friends and family. The closed season for ula spiny lobster, ula papapa slipper lobster and kona crab. Catch and cook lobster diving with hawaii natives youtube. In florida, there is a season where the spiny lobster may be taken, usually from the beginning of august to the end of march, to protect the species during its main breeding season. This season is the last consecutive wednesday and thursday of july each year. Closed season runs from may 1 through the end of august and during that time its illegal to take, possess, or sell these shellfish. Carapace must be larger than 3, measured in the water. Division of aquatic resources marine invertebrates. The months with the letter r in them mean the lobster hunt is on. The season to catch spiny lobster, slipper lobster and kona crab will end sunday. Moi, kona crab, spiny and slipper lobster season closed. Image courtesy hawaii division of aquatic resources. Current 20192020 recreational lobster fishing information.
The last day of the season is march 18, 2020 at 12. How to catch lobsters in hawaii gone outdoors your. In 1977, commercial trapping of lobster began at the northwestern hawaiian islands. It is the most common species beyond the surf zone into deep water in hawaii. Lobster and kona crab season closes today maui now. Contrary to dans assertions, aquaculture is one of the fastest growing. The best lobster in santa barbara updated april 2020. Lobster season is closed through august 31 to allow them a chance to reproduce. It lives hidden under ledges or in caves on the outer reef edge of hawaii s slopes, at depths below 60 feet.
They are usually found under ledges or in caves with only their long antennae. Regular spiny lobster season is august 6 through march 31. Hawaii lobster trap fishery mmpa list of fisheries. A similar and larger species, the california spiny lobster is a rare treat, gathered in traps or by hand by divers and sold live in tanks. The 201516 spiny lobster season regulations include. The closed season extends through the end of august. Conditions where calm when we left honokohau boat harbor at 11. This recipe for spiny lobster is one of his favorite things to eat with his. Open season for lobster and kona crab comes to an end.
Closed season on lobster and kona crab maui now hawaii news. This fishery corresponds to the following fishing methods defined by dar. How to determine sex of regulated invertebrates spiny lobster male. Longhanded spiny lobster the longhanded lobster, justitia longimana, is an uncommon species. The california spiny lobster panulirus interruptus is a species of spiny lobster found in the eastern pacific ocean from monterey bay, california to the gulf of tehuantepec, mexico. It typically grows to a length of 30 cm 12 in and is a reddishbrown color with stripes along the legs, and has a pair of enlarged antennae but no claws. Sailfish marina celebrates the succulent crustacean with a daylong fest. Grab only enough to eat because the ocean is like your refridgerator, you can always go back for more. Marine mammal protection hawaii lobster diving fishery mmpa list of fisheries. Hawaiian spiny lobsters hawaiian lobsters maui magazine. The closed season in hawaii for ula spiny lobster, ula papapa slipper lobster, and kona crab is may through august. These months are considered the lobster season where you can find a goodsized population of lobster. Lobster and kona crab season closes may 1 big island now.