Lobster poachers in hot water in OC

Lobster poachers are feeling the pinch in Orange County, as state Department of Fish & Game wardens crack down on illegal activity.

.In the last two months wardens have investigated three cases involving the possession of significant lobster over limits, with the majority of the lobsters undersize, the agency announced.

In one case the suspect was convicted and is serving jail time for commercial sale of sport caught lobster. The two other cases are pending.

"Local lobster populations will suffer severe declines if poaching activity is left unchecked." said Lt. Dan Sforza of DFG's Law Enforcement Division

The following three cases are examples of cases made every day by game wardens.

-- On Feb. 2, a Norwalk man was sentenced to 33 days in jail for selling 22 undersized lobsters for $85. Witnesses at the scene stated he had sold lobsters there many times before.

-- On Jan. 29, A Bloomington resident was found in possession of 39 lobsters, 38 of which were undersized, intended for commercial sale.

-- On Dec. 13, a father and son duo from Dana Point, were found in possession of 22 lobsters, 21 of which were undersized. They were cited for four violations each.

"Regulations regarding sport take of lobsters are designed to allow lobster the chance to reproduce at least once during their lives before they can be taken by an angler," DFG officials noted. "Possession of three times the normal limit of seven lobsters is prima facie evidence they are possessed for the purpose of commercial sale."

Regulations related to lobster fishing can be found on page 57 of the DFG Ocean Fishing Regulations available at http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/pdfs/oceanfish2009.pdf.