The season for taking ula and ula papapa (spiny and slipper lobsters) and Kona crabs in Hawaii waters is closed through the end of August, the Department of Land and Natural Resources said Friday.
Hawaii Administrative Rules prohibit the taking, killing, sale or offering for sale, or possession of any ula, also known as spiny lobster (Panulirus penicillatus, P. marginatus) and ula papapa or slipper lobster (Scyllarides squammosus, S. haanii) from state waters during the closed season, which began May 1. It is also illegal to take, possess, or sell Kona crab between May and August.
The rules are in place to protect the lobsters and crabs at the peak of their reproductive season to ensure populations are sustained, said Suzanne Case, DLNR chairperson.
However, any commercial marine dealer may sell, or any hotel, restaurant, or other public eating house may serve spiny or slipper lobster lawfully caught during the open season by first procuring a license pursuant to the rules.
During the open season catching, taking or possessing of female spiny and slipper lobsters and female Kona crab is prohibited. Also during the open season, any spiny or slipper lobster, or Kona crab, caught with eggs must immediately be returned to the waters from which it was taken. Taking or killing of females is prohibited year-round.
The Hawaii Fishing Regulations booklet, available at all Division of Aquatic Resources offices and most fishing supply stores, shows how to determine the sex of spiny lobsters and Kona crabs. The information is also available online at http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar/fishing/fishing-regulations/marine-invertebrates/how-to-determine-sex-of-regulated-invertebrates/.