HONOLULU — Though the open fishing season for lobster and Kona crab began nearly a month ago Sept. 1, the Department of Land and Natural Resources is reminding residents about new laws now in effect that prohibit the catch of
HONOLULU — Though the open fishing season for lobster and Kona crab began nearly a month ago Sept. 1, the Department of Land and Natural Resources is reminding residents about new laws now in effect that prohibit the catch of female lobsters and certain female crabs, as well as how to distinguish male from female lobsters.
The DLNR’s Division of Aquatic Resources and Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement are offering clarification on questions about whether fishers can use lobster nets.
Taking of all female spiny lobsters, female Kona crabs and female Samoan crabs is now prohibited as a result of the passage of Act 77 by the 2006 Legislature.
Other current rules also apply to spiny lobsters: they must be a minimum of 3-1/4 inches in head-shell length, spearing of spiny lobsters is prohibited, and lobsters must be possessed whole, with the head, tail, and swimmerets attached.
Sept. 1 also marked the beginning of open fishing season for Kona crab and slipper lobster. Kona crabs must be at least 4 inches in carapace width; slipper lobsters must be at least 2-3/4 inches in tail width. As with spiny lobsters, the spearing of Kona crab and slipper lobsters is prohibited. There currently is no requirement to release female slipper lobsters.
As to the use of lobster nets, the DLNR considers lay nets and lobster nets to represent different and distinct net gear types. Specifically, a lobster net has a larger mesh size, roughly 4-7 inches, is made of stout multifilament colored cordage that is usually bright orange or red, and usually characterized by having only a 2-3 foot net face or panel, compared to a 6-7 foot vertical net face or panel for a typical lay net.
Lobster nets will not be subject to rules pertaining to lay nets, and assuch, will not need to meet lay net rule requirements if used in the manner for which they were intended.
Lobster nets can be abused in their use and potentially harm aquatic life. All fishers should remember to use any net type responsibly and to fish in a sustainable manner, Laura H. Thielen, DLNR chairperson, said in a prepared statement.
When using lobster nets as well as using any gill net gear, fishers should actively attend the net, monitor what is being caught, and immediately release any unwanted catch or species that do not meet current requirements (undersized, out of season, beyond the legal bag limit), or any threatened and endangered species.
The Hawai‘i Fishing Regulations booklet, available at all Division of Aquatic Resources offices, various fishing supply outlets and online at www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/dar shows how to determine the sex of spiny lobsters, Kona and Samoan crabs.
