How to Build a Lobster Casita

Casitas are underwater shelters designed to attract spiny lobsters. These temporary structures, which are shaped like a flat tabletop, typically consist of a PVC frame and a roof of aluminum sheeting. Casitas are placed in shallow water and offer a hiding place to spiny lobsters, particularly juveniles of the species. Lobsters making use of these shelters are subsequently harvested by hand on a weekly basis. The most sought after casitas offer a covered area and multiple entrances. Casitas must also be positioned low to the ground.

Things You'll Need

  • Pocket of cement mix
  • Spade
  • 2 PVC pipes, 6 feet long, 3-inch diameter
  • Aluminum sheet, 3.5 feet by 6 feet
  • Electric drill
  • Four thick, long plastic cable ties
  • Light delivery vehicle
  • Assistant
  • Goggles
  • Swimming trunks
  • Flippers (optional)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Mix up a small batch of cement.

    • 2

      Fill the two 6-foot PVC pipes with the wet cement and allow the cement to cure. These weighted pipes remain stationary under water and are not affected by tide and current.

    • 3

      Drill a hole in each of the four corners of a 3.5 feet by 6 feet sheet of aluminum.

    • 4

      Lay the two PVC pipes next to each other, 3.5 feet apart and place the aluminum sheet onto the two pipes.

    • 5

      Thread one cable tie through the first hole in the sheet and around the bottom of the PVC pipe. Tighten the cable tie to secure the sheet onto the PVC pipe. Repeat for the remaining three holes.

    • 6

      Request an assistant to help you load the casita onto a light delivery vehicle and take it to the coast.

    • 7

      Source a sea grass bed fairly close to the beach and in water at least 6 feet deep. Request the assistant to help you carry the casita out to a sea grass bed. Casitas placed in sea grass beds don't easily fill up with sand. The casitas also don't interfere with the natural water movement either, as the current in these areas is already flowing slowly.

    • 8

      Lower the casita onto the sea bed. Put on the goggles and dive down to ensure that the casita is sitting level on the sand and that there are no pieces of marine rock under the pipes.

    • 9

      Place your hand into the casita, on all sides, to ensure that there are no obstructions from mounds of sand.