The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) reminds 2013-14 full season spiny lobster report card holders to return their cards by April 30 as required by law.

Cardholders should review their cards carefully and check that the information recorded is complete and accurate.

Information collected from the cards provides CDFW with data necessary to monitor and manage California’s spiny lobster fishery.

Please note: Any 2013-14 full season spiny lobster report card holder who fails to return their card by April 30 will be charged a non-return fee of $20 upon issuance of a spiny lobster report card in the subsequent fishing season, or they may choose to skip one fishing season to be able to purchase a lobster card the following season at no extra cost.

Past lobster report card return rates have been too low to accurately estimate catch for the fishery but the Automated License Data System (ALDS) has greatly increased CDFW’s ability to remind card purchasers of the need to return report cards.

ALDS was used to mail reminder notices to all cardholders last year to return their report cards through the mail or submit their harvest data online.

If you receive a reminder notice but have already submitted your card or reported online, CDFW thanks you.

The cards need to be returned even if no lobsters were taken or no attempts were made to take lobsters. Spiny lobster report card data can be submitted online at www.dfg.ca.gov/licensing/harvestreporting .

Report cards also can be submitted by mail to:

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

Additional information and a list of frequently asked questions about this program can be found on CDFW’s Ocean Sport Fishing webpage, www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/invertebrate/lobster.asp .