By Jorge Casuso

July 15, 2026 -- State wildlife officials arrested six lobster poachers on the Santa Monica Pier Tuesday and seized 34 lobsters as evidence, which they released alive back into the ocean.

The lobsters, which included several egg-bearing females, were located by wildlife officers and their specially trained canines hidden in duffel bags, backpacks, vehicles and a baby stroller, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW).

The enforcement operation was conducted by wildlife officers from across Southern California four months after the spiny lobster season closed on March 18.

The six suspects were arrested for violations that included taking lobsters out of season, exceeding the daily bag limits of lobsters and possessing more than triple the limit.

The poachers -- whose names were not released -- were also arrested for taking undersized lobsters and taking lobsters by hook and line.

They face up to $1,000 in fines for each violation or up to one year in jail, wildlife officials said.

"The suspects involved took sophisticated measures to conceal their activities but despite their best efforts, wildlife officers identified and apprehended those involved," CDFW wrote in a social media post.

According to State wildlife officials, each female produces one brood of between 50,000 to 800,000 eggs per year, which it carries for approximately 10 weeks.

"The loss of an egg-bearing female lobster can have a substantial impact on the health of the lobster fishery and directly impacts legal anglers," officials said.

The California spiny lobster (Panulirus interruptus) is "a highly sought-after target of both California's recreational and commercial fisheries."

Under the California code of regulations for spiny lobsters, the open season starts in early October and runs through mid March, and each person can catch a maximum of seven lobsters.

Divers are not allowed to use spears, and only hoop nets can be used for recreational harvest.

Anglers must measure the size of the lobster with a gauge and release those under the minimum size limit, which is 3¼ inches in carapace length "from the rear edge of the eye socket to the rear edge of the body shell."

while fishing, anglers must have a California recreational fishing license and a Spiny Lobster Report Card they must turn in by April 30.

To report a wildlife crime in progress, call CALTIP 24/7 at 888-334-CALTIP (888-334-2258) or submit a tip through the free “tip411” phone app.

All reports can be made anonymously, and tipsters can be eligible for a cash reward depending on the circumstances of the case, according to wildlife officials.