3.8 Socioeconomics
Cumulative ex-vessel dollar value for lobster from 1994-1998 comprised 42.7 percent of all commercial
species landed in San Diego County (Table 3.8-10). Considering only nearshore commercial species since
1981, lobster ranked number one in value representing 45.2 percent of the value for all nearshore species
landed (Table 3.8-11). In the North County areas, lobster represents 68 percent of the commercial catch
landed at Oceanside. Considering only the North County area for most recent two years, 1997-1998,
Encinitas to Solana Beach represented about 62 percent of the catch landed at Oceanside while Oceanside
and Del Mar to Torrey Pines represents about 29 percent and 9 percent, respectively, a pattern somewhat
different than that seen over the longer term, where the Oceanside area has normally played a much larger
role in proportion of landings.
Red sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus franciscanus) are ranked number two value to local fishermen.
Red and purple sea urchins are found from Alaska to Cedros Island in Baja California. They majority are
found in rocky bottom habitats from the intertidal zone out to a depth of about 100 feet. According to local
fishermen, urchins take three to five years to reach a commercially viable harvest size. Harvesting of red
sea urchins can occur from 5 to 100 feet, but most of the catch is taken between 20 and 60 feet.
According to fishermen contacted for this project, it is estimated that most of the local catch is taken
between 10 and 50 feet, with a smaller amount harvested somewhat deeper. Urchins are reportedly fished
locally anywhere between Oceanside and San Diego where there is a hard bottom, but kelp areas are
considered the prime fishing locations.
Red urchins are generally landed at San Diego, a processing center, and generally not landed at Oceanside
where there is no processing facility. In terms of harvest area, nearly 99 percent of the red urchins are
caught in the La Jolla to Point Loma fish block. Urchin harvest is conducted by divers. Diving typically is
done from small vessels (22 to 32 feet) with several divers generally using surface supplied air. Urchins
are collected in net bags and hauled to the surface at regular intervals. According to local fishermen, at
least some San Diego area based urchin divers harvest urchins from as far away as northern California.
3.8.3 Kelp Harvesting
Kelp harvesting operations also occur in the proposed project area. The giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera,
is found all along the western coast of the United States. Off the Southern California coast, kelp is found
on rocky substrate in wave-exposed areas at depths of 20 to 120 feet. Kelp harvesting has occurred in
California since 1911 and involves the use of cutter barges which harvest the upper the kelp canopy down
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