Camping on Hermits Island, ME

[Randy g]

We are going up for 10 days next month and camping on hermits Island. We were wondering if there is any possiblity for picking up lobster off the bottom around the campgrounds at night. We are taking the kayaks and thinking about taking the dive gear as well.

Good idea or bad?

TIA!

 

[Damselfish]

Not a good idea. In Maine lobster can only be taken in traps, not on scuba. The lobstermen are pretty protective. It might be a good way to get yourself shot. There's bound to be a "lobster in the rough" place nearby. Actually, they may sell them at the camp store in season, if I recall correctly. I've only stayed on HI after Labor Day but I seem to recall a lobster tank and signs indicating that. (Heck, there's a campground on Southport Island that will cook and deliver them to your campsite. "Room service" lobsta!)

(Even in Massachusetts, where they can be taken on scuba, you still need a license and can only get one as a resident/property owner. And you can't take them at night as it's too easy then, exactly because that's when they may be wandering around the bottom.)

 

[Green_Manelishi]

We are going up for 10 days next month and camping on hermits Island. We were wondering if there is any possiblity for picking up lobster off the bottom around the campgrounds at night. We are taking the kayaks and thinking about taking the dive gear as well.

Good idea or bad?

TIA!

Very bad idea. Don't even make the fishermen, gubmint, think you are taking lobster.

 

[reefseal]

Bugs are cheap now anyway.. Lobsterman in ME are resorting to selling out of their garages, posting entries on craigslist to cut out the middleman. The prices are lowest in years.

 

[spectrum]

As mentioned, 'Just Say No" to DIY lobstering harvesting. It starts with confiscation of your gear and goes downhill from there. It also puts a stain on all local divers that need to coexist with the lobster men.

Scuba lobstering is legal in MA. If you network with a licensed diver down there maybe you can make a day trip of it and participate as a buddy. If you just want to eat they they are very affordable these days.

Mean while we have plenty of diving to enjoy. My dive site guide and listing of fill stations may be helpful.

Pete

 

[yak]

Damselfish is correct, they sell them at the camp store.

 

[Jeff Toorish]

You have a very clear answer to your question.

It's important to understand that lobsters are essentially fed by lobstermen (and women) until they are large enough to harvest. So the lobsterfolks have a substantial financial investment in the lobster population.

Here in Maine we have relatively good relations with the professional lobstering community because Maine law forbids harvesting lobsters on scuba. We don't pop up from dives with bags o'bugs so there is no suggestion that the diver raided a lobster trap. In places where there is legal lobstering on scuba, there also seems to be very strained relations between dives and lobstermen.

Personally, I support the law in Maine as it exists right now.

As has been mentioned, lobsters are cheap here, buy a few on your visit and support the local economy.

Jeff

 

[Randy g]

Thanks for your replys guys. I guess buying bugs will be cheaper than tankfills and alot easier to get. I guess I'll stick to kayaking and hiking on this trip.

 

[yak]

Thanks for your replys guys. I guess buying bugs will be cheaper than tankfills and alot easier to get. I guess I'll stick to kayaking and hiking on this trip.

That doesn't mean you shouldn't try to work a dive into your trip. I remember seeing seals on a boat ride in one of the local inlets there.

 

[MSilvia]

The diving is great... just don't dive for lobster.