By Paul Lebowitz

Not only do poachers face steep fines, the dent they put in the lobster population could lead to lowered limits for the law-abiding.

On the first weekend of lobster season an avid angler visited the Santa Monica Pier, where he was shocked by a scene he described as “a poaching fest.”

“I’ve never seen anything like it,” said the long-time Santa Monica Bay fisherman who preferred to remain anonymous. “There were at least 20 guys on the lower back tier snagging lobsters. Not everyone knows this, but fishing for lobsters with a rod and reel is illegal.”

The lobster snaggers seemed to know they were in the wrong.

“There were a number of family groups in on the action. The wives and sisters would sit in their chairs away from the rail as their cousins, brothers and husbands reeled the lobsters in. They'd wind a lobster to the surface, call a kid over, hand-line it the rest of the way and then stash it in the kid’s backpack. They were keeping everything, even crawdad sized ‘bugs.’ It was absolutely ridiculous,” the concerned angler said.    

He called the Department of Fish and Game, which sent a warden who was probably not surprised by the picture of widespread, organized lobster snagging he described. The DFG is aware of the poaching problem.

“Poaching at the Santa Monica Pier is not unique,” said Mike McBride, the DFG’s Assistant Chief of the Southern Enforcement District which encompasses Los Angles County.

McBride’s force of game wardens was on a heightened lookout for lobster poachers those first few evenings of the season, a time McBride called “some of our top nights.”

Lobster violations carry heavy fines. Although classified as criminal misdemeanors, lobsters shorter than the minimum size limit, in excess of the daily and possession limits, or caught other than by hand or hoop net carry a price tag of as much as $2,700 each. Additional penalties include revocation of fishing licenses and loss of any gear used in the crime.  

McBride knows he can’t catch every poacher, every time. He takes the long view.

As an example, McBride mentioned four men who were caught snagging lobsters at Redondo-King Harbor earlier this year. One had eight prior lobster violations.

“He went to jail,” McBride said.

Poaching is a problem for law-abiding anglers.

“Poaching hurts everyone,” said Carrie Wilson, an Assistant Marine Biologist Communications Coordinator for the DFG.

“Those who don’t abide by the laws and regulations put a big dent in fish and lobster populations. If the population declines, then stricter regulations will be necessary,” said Wilson.

BUG IN THE BAG – Taking lobsters by snagging them via rod and reel is illegal. Suspected poachers spotted on the Redondo and Santa Monica Piers seem to know they are in the wrong. When they bring a lobster onto the pier, it is quickly stashed in a bag, backpack, or other hiding spot.

California’s current spiny lobster regulations have been in place for years. Season and size limits have kept the population stable. It’s a success story that could be imperiled if poaching gets out of hand.

Law abiding anglers can do their part by reporting suspected poaching to the DFG. In addition to the feeling of satisfaction that comes from doing the right thing and protecting the resource, there could be a cash reward.

“I called the DFG to report a boater who was keeping undersized halibut. He was stashing them under a hidden hatch. The warden caught him red-handed,” said another L.A. County angler who did not wish to be identified for this story. A few months later he received a check for $500 from the DFG.

Last year prior to the lobster opener, he had another opportunity to call for a warden.

“I was catching mackerel at the Redondo Pier when I saw four guys snagging lobsters. One of them was selling them as soon as he could get them off the hook,” the second angler said. Selling sport-caught game and fish is illegal.

Posing as a tourist, he photographed the suspected poacher. 

“He was teaching another guy, telling him ‘I’m so smart, that’s why I don’t get caught.’ Now the DFG has his picture.”  

Warden McBride urged citizens to be careful when dealing with suspected poachers.

“Be very cautious, especially at night. You don’t know who you are dealing with. It’s best not to confront someone. Call us instead,” McBride said.

Often, a DFG officer will respond to investigate. Other times, the wardens may already be occupied with higher priority cases. Don’t let that dissuade you from making the call. The DFG values the information.

“Don’t call with the sense that a warden will pounce every time. The calls help us set priorities,” McBride said. For example, officers might patrol a problem area more frequently, or even go under cover to bust a big poaching ring.

According to Ken Jones, the lobster poaching problem extends beyond the piers and onto and under the water where some boaters and divers also abuse the rules. On the piers it’s just more obvious.

“Anyone can walk out and see it,” Jones pointed out. Jones is the president of United Pier and Shore Anglers, an organization committed to preserving and improving the recreational opportunities and environment of pier and shore anglers.

Jones feels it will take more than law enforcement to reduce poaching; education is the key.