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Seafood Watch - Seafood Guide

California Spiny Lobster

© B. Guild Gillespie/www.chartingnature.com
SEAFOODRATINGMARKET NAMESWHERE CAUGHTHOW CAUGHT
American Lobster Good Alternative: These are good alternatives to the best choices column. There are some concerns with how they are fished or farmed – or with the health of their habitats due to other human impacts. Maine lobster U.S. Gulf of Maine, U.S. Georges Bank Pot, Trap
American Lobster Avoid: Avoid these products for now. These fish come from sources that are overfished or fished or farmed in ways that harm the environment. Maine lobster U.S. Southern New England Pot, Trap
California Spiny Lobster Best Choice: These fish are abundant, well managed and fished or farmed in environmentally friendly ways. California Spiny Lobster, Red Lobster California Wild-caught
Caribbean Spiny Lobster Avoid: Avoid these products for now. These fish come from sources that are overfished or fished or farmed in ways that harm the environment. Caribbean Spiny Lobster, Red Lobster, Warmwater Lobster Brazil Wild-caught
Caribbean Spiny Lobster Good Alternative: These are good alternatives to the best choices column. There are some concerns with how they are fished or farmed – or with the health of their habitats due to other human impacts. Caribbean Spiny Lobster, Red Lobster, Warmwater Lobster Bahamas Wild-caught
Caribbean Spiny Lobster Best Choice: These fish are abundant, well managed and fished or farmed in environmentally friendly ways. Caribbean Spiny Lobster, Red Lobster, Warmwater Lobster Florida Wild-caught
Spiny Lobster Best Choice: These fish are abundant, well managed and fished or farmed in environmentally friendly ways. Blue Spiny Lobster, California Spiny Lobster, Green Spiny Lobster, Langosta Mexicana, Red Lobster Baja California, Mexico Wild-caught


Spiny Lobster

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

A portion of the Baja California, Mexico trap fishery is certified as sustainable to the standard of the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC).

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 California, 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."

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