California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Marine Management News

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 21, 2014


2013 Abalone and Spiny Lobster Report Cards Due by Jan. 31, 2014


The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) reminds abalone and lobstersport fishermen they are required by law to return their 2013 Abalone Report Cards and 2013 Calendar Year Spiny Lobster Report Cards by Jan. 31, 2014. Card holders are asked to review their cards carefully and check that the information is as complete and accurate as possible. Information collected from report cards provides CDFW with data necessary to monitor and manage California's recreational abalone and spiny lobster fisheries.


The new Full Season Spiny Lobster Report Card, which became available after July 31, 2013 is good for the entire lobster fishing season. The Full Season Spiny Lobster Report Card is not due until April 30 following the close of lobster season. Any report card holder who fails to return their Full Season Spiny Lobster Report Card will be charged a non-return fee of $20.00 when purchasing a Spiny Lobster Report Card in the subsequent fishing season.


In the past, report card return rates have been too low to accurately estimate catch for these fisheries, but the Automated License Data System (ALDS) has greatly increased the ability of the CDFW to remind card purchasers of the need to return report cards. ALDS was used last year to alert Abalone Report Card purchasers if they had not returned their cards or entered data online for the cards before the January 31 deadline. ALDS was also used to mail reminder notices to all Spiny Lobster Report Card holders to return their report cards through the mail or submit their harvest data online. If ALDS warnings fail to increase Abalone Report Card return rates, a non-return fee may be implemented in the future.


Report cards need to be returned even if no abalone or lobster were taken, or no attempt was made to take either species. Report card data can be submitted online. Report cards also can be submitted by mail to:


CDFW - Abalone Report Card 32330 North Harbor Drive Fort Bragg, CA 95437-5554

OR

CDFW - Lobster Report Card 3883 Ruffin Rd. San Diego, CA 92123


Additional information and a list of frequently asked questions about these programs can be found on CDFW's Ocean Sport Fishing webpages for red abalone and California spiny lobster.


CDFW Marine Management News
Ocean-related news and information

Visit the Marine Region Website at www.dfg.ca.gov/marine.


California Department of Fish and Wildlife Marine Region 20 Lower Ragsdale Dr. Suite 100 Monterey CA 93940