According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), a wildlife officer encountered an individual on June 13 allegedly harvesting California spiny lobsters within the South La Jolla State Marine Reserve, a designated no-take marine protected area where removing any marine life is strictly prohibited.
An inspection of the suspect's belongings revealed 24 California spiny lobsters. Authorities said 21 of the lobsters were undersized, many were egg-bearing females, and every lobster had spear holes, indicating they had been illegally taken with a spear.
The alleged violations didn't stop there. CDFW said the individual was arrested on multiple charges, including taking lobster out of season, possessing undersized lobster, exceeding the daily bag limit, harvesting within a state marine reserve, using an unlawful method of take, fishing without a valid California fishing license, and failing to possess a required measuring device.
Wildlife officers seized both the lobsters and the suspect's spearfishing equipment as evidence. Each violation carries penalties of up to $1,000 and six months in jail, meaning the potential financial consequences could be substantial if the suspect is ultimately convicted.
California's recreational spiny lobster season generally runs from early October through mid-March. Divers may not spear lobsters at any time, and recreational harvest is limited to hoop nets during the open season. Anglers are also required to immediately measure every lobster with a lobster gauge and release any that fall below the legal minimum size. The daily recreational bag limit is seven lobsters.
The alleged poaching occurred inside the South La Jolla State Marine Reserve, one of California's most biologically diverse marine protected areas. Established under the Marine Life Protection Act, the reserve encompasses more than five square miles of kelp forests, rocky reefs and intertidal habitat that support species including California's bright orange Garibaldi, giant sea bass, leopard sharks, harbor seals, sea lions and countless invertebrates. Unlike neighboring marine conservation areas that allow limited fishing, the reserve prohibits the take of all marine resources.
"Lobster seasons, size limits, and other restrictions are in place to help keep the population sustainable for current and future fishing opportunities," CDFW said in announcing the arrest. The agency added that wildlife officers will continue proactive patrols in sensitive marine protected areas to deter poaching.
Anyone who witnesses wildlife crimes or illegal fishing activity can report it anonymously through CDFW's 24-hour CALTIP hotline at 888-334-2258 or through the department's Tip411 mobile app.
Originally published on June 29, 2026.