Big Island lobster diving

[Little lilii]

Hello, my name is Lily. Me and my friend are looking to go lobster hunting on big Island Kona. I have never gone lobster hunting, I have gone scuba diving and I’m a great swimmer. We are looking for a guide to take us, will pay of course. Thanks!

 

[NW Dive Dawg]

I'd say that your starting point would be to check the regulations for locations, seasons, etc..

 

[Scuba Lawyer]

You will find the best Big Island lobster spots are closely guarded secrets. Closed season is May - August. No female lobster may be taken ever. 3.25" minimum carapace length. The best spots require a boat or a 4-wheel drive vehicle with lava tires to access. There are folks who you can pay to take you but the folks I knew have moved off-island. I'd go with you but won't be back on-island for a few months. Best to check with local Facebook groups. Good luck. M

P.S. Most of the productive spots are shallow, surgy, and full of sharp lava and coral. Excellent diving skills are warranted.

 

[living4experiences]

Wouldn't you rather dive with live lobsters than deplete the ocean of a diminishing resource?

 

[Scuba Lawyer]

Wouldn't you rather dive with live lobsters than deplete the ocean of a diminishing resource?

Out of curiosity, what evidence do you have that lobster on the Big Island are a diminishing resource?

 

[justinthedeeps]

Science-backed management including the size minimums, male-only, closed months, and closed refuge areas works for a lot of fisheries insomuch as there is adequate respect and abidance, and effective enforcement.

But Kona should make at least a half dozen busy dive zones strictly and officially no-take (including no aquarists)

Seen local lobster freedivers at night in heavy windward surf conditions with no direct exit from the water, swimming a kilometer back to a tiny keyhole in the lava cliffs where they know how to narrowly avoid getting smashed into lobster food. One guy's bag was full, the other's was empty. It's not Florida or San Diego

Maybe buy from the locals? Same for tuna & mahi. Small craft & big catch is their trade

Haole reef spearing/taking is a joke. Spend $2000++ on spearo schwag to go kill parrotfish? That could buy a lot of proper offshore fish. But the spearo shops will appreciate your business. Reefs worldwide got decimated in the 70's and 80's by SCUBA spearos, many have never completely recovered.

If you see a white dude selling reef fish out of a pickup truck, take a pic and report him to DLNR.