A daring pursuit: As lobster diving gets more popular, calls for precaution increase

Claire Harlin -

It’s not easy to catch a lobster.

Geared up in scuba equipment, one must dive to the depths of the ocean, often more than 60 feet, in the dark. These crustaceans come out at night when predators can’t see them. Experienced lobster hunters say swimming far and fast, covering a lot of territory, is key to nabbing one with a swipe of the hand before it can scurry away.

One must be quick (it only takes a tenth of a second for the critters to notice the presence of a human), but also careful — sometimes lobsters hide in holes with sea urchin, and a wild grab can land a diver in the hospital.

Sharp spines on a lobster’s whipping tail can draw blood.

Some do it for the thrill, and others for the tasty meal. Either way, La Jolla is one of the most frequented destinations in San Diego during lobster hunting season, which opened last month, bringing a slew of aficionados to its waters.

San Diego Lifeguard Lt. John Everhart said the sport seems to be gaining popularity, but with that increase in popularity comes more people confronting the dangers associated with lobster diving. Since opening night, which fell on Oct. 2 this year, there has been one death and several rescues of lobster divers.

“We increase our staff on opening night because a lot of people go in right at midnight when the season opens,” said Everhart. “During lobster season we get a fair amount of calls about people getting in trouble after dark.”

Everhart’s team in La Jolla responded on Oct. 29 to a 9-1-1 call regarding two night divers who got caught in a rip current off Shell Beach near the Children’s Pool. They suffered minor injuries, and Everhart said it is likely the two weren’t familiar with the area, as the visibility of the water that Friday was not conducive for night diving.

On Oct. 5 in Mission Bay, the outcome of a rescue was less fortunate. Luke Ausdemore, 25, of Tulsa, Okla., was free-diving for lobsters with a friend using a snorkel and goggles. The two had been separated for about 10 minutes when Ausdemore was found unconscious, reported the Tulsa World newspaper. He was then taken to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead.

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Photo Paul Burlingame

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