THE HARBOR COLUMN:

Ahoy,

I love to eat Panulirus interruptus, which just happens to be the species of clawless lobster in our coastal waters. The California spiny lobster will start showing up on dinner plates Saturday, when recreational lobster season opens with the season’s final day of March 18.

Remember: You must have a fishing license that is properly endorsed; either an annual license or a one-day permit. You may catch lobsters only by hand or a hoop net; no devices.

The minimum size limit is 3 1/4 inches measured in a straight line on the midline of the back from the rear edge of the eye socket to the rear edge of the body shell. You can bring a lobster to the surface for measuring, but by no means can an undersized lobster be brought aboard any boat. You must measure immediately, and all shorties must be released.

If you use hoop nets like off a boat, then only five baited hoop nets may used by one person, and no more than 10 baited hoop nets off of any vessel. The daily bag and possession is seven lobsters per person, and here is an important part: Unlike fishing for fish, lobsters must be kept whole on any boat or to bring ashore a lobster in such a condition that its size cannot be determined.

There is a new spiny lobster report card requirement starting this year to monitor recreational catches. You must have the card with your fishing license, and return it by Jan. 31. The card costs $7.50 from the Department of Fish and Game or $7.90 at tackle shops.

To keep yourself out of trouble with California Department of Fish and Game, visit www.dfg.ca.gov/regulations/ index.html.

Tip of week is that it is now commercial lobster season, so be careful transiting Newport Harbor’s entrance. Lying just outside the jetties are many lobster cages with their marker buoys floating on the surface. Also, up and down the coast there will be marker buoys most likely within a couple of miles to the shoreline. I recommend navigating a straight course to and fro offshore red and white vertically stripped “NWP” midchannel buoy and the jetty entrance, and do not cut the corners especially at dark.

Remember to tune in every Saturday at 11 a.m. to “Capt. Mike Whitehead’s Boathouse Radio Show” broadcasting on KLAA-AM (830).

Safe voyages.

MIKE WHITEHEAD is the Pilot’s boating columnist. Send marine-related thoughts and story suggestions to [email protected] or go to www.boathousetv.com.