There we were, about to attempt the dismount at Pu'uhonau o Honaunau, aka, The Place of Refuge, aka "Two Step" -- it can be quite tricky sometimes, so, were were trying to pay attention...when something unusual in the shallows caught our eye.
Yon little crusty, scyllarides squammosus, remained stock still, trying to blend in with surrounding coral.
Hmmm...you tell us...was he doing a good job?
Cute little bugger, ain't he? Well, it was our first sighting of one, as apparently, they're good eating...
We learn from The Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) (part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA))), that...
"The commercial lobster fishery in Hawaii is a limited-entry trap fishery that harvests said slipper lobster species in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI).
The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands are an isolated range of islands, islets, banks, and reefs which extend 1,500 nmi northwest of the main Hawaiian islands from Nihoa Island to Kure Atoll."
Guess also, it's legal to take 'em around these parts, if: they are in season, (Sept. 1-April 31) at least 2-3/4 inches in tail width), and that certain permits may be required -- heck if we can figure out which -- and, since we like enjoying our sea life in the ocean (and thus, cannot eat "familiar" lobster), we won't spend much more time or space on it.
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