New recreational California spiny lobster regulations will be in effect as of April 1, 2017. Changes include a new opening time of 6:00 a.m. on the first day of the season, and clarification of measuring procedures and rules regarding possession of spearfishing gear while diving for crustaceans. Also, hoop nets used to take crustaceans south of Point Arguello must be marked with a surface buoy, and the surface buoy must have the operator’s GO ID number on it. Hoop nets deployed from shore or piers are not required to be marked with a surface buoy. |