Collecting Starfish Can Be Very Expensive

June 13, 2013

Question: Our family was at Mavericks Beach in Half Moon Bay recently. I wasn’t paying close attention when the kids were collecting things from the beach. My kids collected a starfish and snails and put them into a cooler. When a ranger saw what they had he made me put them back in the water. We didn’t know it was against the law. He wrote a ticket out to my husband as “CCR Title 14, section 29.05(d) Unlawful taking of invertebrate” and marked as misdemeanor.

We wouldn’t have let the kids do it if we knew it was illegal. What will the fines or penalties be? (Laurice P.)

Answer: Sea stars (starfish) residing on nearshore rocks between the mean high tide line and 1,000 feet seaward of the mean low tide line may not be taken (CCR Title 14, section 29.05(b)). Pursuant to Fish and Game Code section 12000, the maximum fine for this violation is $1,000.

Ouch.

I get it....but really seems like the warden could have sat the family and kids down and made it a teaching moment. Last I recall starfish are pretty damn tough

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