California Sport Fishing Regulations
Last Modified 2015-May-27
Link to: California
F&G Abalone Regs (the official version) Page 46 in the PDF.
Invertebrates
(d) In all ocean waters skin and SCUBA divers may take
invertebrates as provided in this article except that in all
ocean waters north of Yankee Point (Monterey Co.),
self-contained under water breathing apparatus (SCUBA) may
only be used to take sea urchins, rock scallops and crabs of
the genus Cancer. For the purpose of this section, breathing
tubes are not underwater artificial breathing devices.
Mollusks
29.10. General.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this article,
saltwater mollusks, including octopus, may be taken only on
hook and line or with the hands.
(b) The size of a mollusk is measured in greatest shell
diameter.
29.15. Abalone.
(a) Geographical Area
Abalone may only be taken north of a line drawn due west
magnetic from the center of the mouth of San Francisco Bay.
No abalone may be taken, landed, or possessed if landed
south of this line.
(b) Open Season and Hours
Abalone may be taken only during the months of April,
May, June, August, September, October and November from
8 AM (0800) to one-half hour after
sunset.
(c) Bag Limit and Yearly Trip Limit
- Three red abalone, Haliotis rufescens, may be taken
per day.
- No more than three abalone may be possessed at any
time.
- No other species of abalone may be taken or
possessed.
- Each person taking abalone shall stop detaching
abalone when the limit of three is reached.
- No person shall take more than 18 abalone during a
calendar year. See subsection 29.15(h). (only 9 of those can come from south of Mendocino county line)
- Fishing Licence and Abalone Report card are required
- You must zip tie a tag to each abalone you take though a siphon hole and the tag's hole (Immediately upon exiting the water or boarding a vessel, which ever occurs first)
(d) Minimum Abalone Size
- All red abalone must be seven inches or greater
measured along the longest shell diameter.
- All legal size abalone detached must be
retained.
- No undersized abalone may be brought ashore or aboard
any boat, placed in any type of receiver, kept on the
person, or retained in any person's possession or under
his control.
- Undersize abalone must be replaced immediately to the
same surface of the rock from which detached. (see
Replacing
a Short)
- Abalones brought ashore shall be in such a condition
that the size can be determined.
(e) Special Gear
Provisions
- The use of SCUBA gear or surface supplied air to take
abalone is prohibited.
- Abalone may not be taken or possessed aboard any
boat, vessel, or floating device in the water containing
SCUBA or surface supplied air.
- Abalone may be taken only by hand or by devices
commonly known as abalone irons.
- Abalone irons must be less than 36 inches long,
straight or with a curve having a radius of not less than
18 inches, and must not be less than 3/4 inch wide nor
less than 1/16 inch thick.
- All edges must be rounded and free of sharp
edges.
- Knives, screwdrivers and sharp instruments are
prohibited.
(f) Measuring
Device
Every person while taking abalone shall carry a fixed
caliper measuring gauge capable of accurately measuring the
abalone being taken. The measuring device shall have fixed
opposing arms of sufficient length to measure the abalone by
placing the gauge over the shell.
(g) Abalone Possession and Transportation
Abalones must not be removed from their shell, except
when being prepared for immediate consumption.
(h) Abalone Report Card
- All persons required to have an abalone stamp must
also have a current and nontransferable Abalone Report
Card (FG-2915 (New 12/99)) which is incorporated by
reference herein, issued by the department, while taking
abalone.
- Persons diving from a boat or shore may have their
report card on the boat or within 500 yards on the shore,
respectively.
- Persons must, immediately upon taking and/or bringing
ashore an abalone, make a hole in the report card in one
of the designated locations and record with indelible
ink, the date, time, and location in the spaces provided
adjacent to the punch.
An Abalone Report Card shall be valid for the calendar
year. No person may be issued or possess more than one
Abalone Report Card or any abalone report card other than
their own. No person shall take more than 24 abalone in a
calendar year. The Abalone Report Card must be returned to
the
Calif. Department of Fish and Wildlife
32330 N. Harbor Dr.
Fort Bragg, CA 95437-5554
within 30 days of
the close of abalone season.
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Last Modified 2015-May-27 |