Can You Transport SCUBA Gear and Abalone in the Same Car?

August 28, 2008

Question: We will be taking a weekend camping trip up to Mendocino where we are planning to spend the first day free diving for abalone and the second diving with SCUBA gear and spearfishing. I am worried about our trip back where we will (hopefully) have abalone and spearfishing diving gear in the car. Will this be a problem? I’ve been told that having SCUBA gear and abalone in a car together is not prohibited, but I don’t want this to be misinterpreted should we be stopped. Just to be sure, should we drive two cars with abalone in one and the dive gear in the other to avoid any possible misunderstandings? This would, however, create another possible problem situation because we would have six abalones in one car and it’s a four hour drive. What should we do to be sure we aren’t unfairly cited? (Jack T.)

Answer: The regulations only prohibit having abalone and SCUBA gear together aboard a boat or vessel (Section 29.15[e] states “…abalone may not be taken or possessed aboard any boat, vessel, or floating device in the water containing SCUBA or surface-supplied air…”). The regulations do not mention anything about abalone and SCUBA gear in a car together – there is no violation committed by transporting your dive gear along with your abalone in one car. You should be aware that you will most likely be scrutinized if contacted by a warden who will be trying to ascertain if the abalone were taken legally.

As for the six abalone in one car, remember that each person may only have three in their possession. If you drive two cars, each person should have their own abalone with the required license, tags and paperwork with them in their car.