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Seafood Watch - Seafood Guide

Lobster, Spiny

© B. Guild Gillespie/www.chartingnature.com

SEAFOOD	RATING	MARKET NAMES	WHERE CAUGHT	HOW CAUGHT
American/Maine Lobster			Northeast U.S., Canada	Trap
Caribbean Spiny Lobster		Caribbean Spiny Lobster, Warmwater Lobster	Florida	Wild-caught
Caribbean Spiny Lobster		Caribbean Spiny Lobster, Warmwater Lobster	Bahamas	Wild-caught
Caribbean Spiny Lobster		Caribbean Spiny Lobster, Warmwater Lobster	Imported except Bahamas	Wild-caught
Spiny Lobster		California Spiny Lobster	California	Wild-caught
Spiny Lobster		California Spiny Lobster, Red Lobster	Baja Mexico	Wild-caught

Spiny Lobster

Spiny lobster from California and the Pacific coast of Mexico is a "Best Choice."

Look for spiny lobster certified as sustainable to the standard of the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC).

Consumer Note

Also known as California spiny lobster

or red lobster.

Summary

Spiny lobster lacks the large front claws of the typical American (Maine) lobster, but has a thick, muscular tail. Its thick shell is protected with an array of spines, earning the common name.

Spiny lobster is typically found on the seafloor in tropical, semitropical and temperate waters, hiding among rocks, kelp and coral.

The spiny lobster is found from Southern California to Baja Mexico. The population size is not well studied, but the fisheries for this lobster are small with effective management. Spiny lobster is caught with traps that have little bycatch

and cause only moderate damage to the environment.

Spiny lobster from California or the Pacific Coast of Mexico is a "Best Choice." The majority of the Mexico fishery - from Isla Cedros to Punta Abreojos - has been certified as sustainable

to the standard of the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC).

Scientific Reports About Our Ratings

California Spiny Lobster Seafood Watch Report
Gulf of California Seafood Watch Report

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