Can I Make Jewelry From Empty Abalone Shells I Find?

December 9, 2010

Question:I have picked up a number of empty abalone shells and pieces of shells from various beaches to use for making jewelry. It’s obvious that they have been sitting in water empty for a while because the inside shows weathering from the saltwater. I know it is not legal for abalone divers to sell the meat or the shells of the abalone, but are there any laws prohibiting me from making jewelry to sell from these empty shells I find? (Jan M., Novato)

Answer: You can generally pick up abalone shells and shell parts for your personal use but these shells may not be sold or made into products to sell. Marine Reserves, State Underwater Parks and other prohibited areas do not allow for any shell collecting. For example, there are some public lands off of Point Arena that are owned and managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). BLM allows you to take live abalone, but you are not allowed to collect empty shells. Wherever you go, you should contact the controlling agency to find out what collecting activities are legal for that area.