Abalone Measuring Devices

I heard a tale that a guy in Mendocino County got tagged for taking abalone without a 7" device. As I heard it, he had a 9" gauge in possession. Does anyone know if this is a true tale? I know the letter of the law specifies a 7" fixed gauge, but isn't the intention of the law to prevent the take of undersize abs?  Personally, if I'm in a spot where a 9" or 10" gauge is appropriate, well, you'll never hear about it from me anyway... Still, I guess a guy could get one of those ab irons with the built in 7" tabs and carry the larger gauge. Just curious and with time on my hands...

Seems clear in the regs:

(f ) Measuring Device: Every person while taking abalone shall carry a fixed-caliper measuring gauge
capable of accurately measuring seven inches. The measuring device shall have fixed opposing arms
of sufficient length to measure the abalone by placing the gauge over the shell.

Not sure if its the same guy from your story but bigeyedave had a well documented posted regarding the issue with positive results.


http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=15078.0

Still, I guess a guy could get one of those ab irons with the built in 7" tabs and carry the larger gauge.

From what I understand that won't work as the required gauge since the "tabs" are too stubby to fit over the shell.

The measuring device shall have fixed opposing arms
of sufficient length to measure the abalone by placing the gauge over the shell.

I don't take any chances when it comes to taking abs 

Still, I guess a guy could get one of those ab irons with the built in 7" tabs and carry the larger gauge.

From what I understand that won't work as the required gauge since the "tabs" are too stubby to fit over the shell.

The measuring device shall have fixed opposing arms
of sufficient length to measure the abalone by placing the gauge over the shell.

I don't take any chances when it comes to taking abs 

+1 to all of the above.

 

Sincerely,

Jim

I carry a standard 7" gauge along with a 9 and 10. I keep them all in my bag and keep the 9 or 10 on my wrist depending on where I am diving. So far they haven't made diving with a 7" in hand a requirement.

You have to have a 7" regulation gauge with you even if you have a 8,9,10,12 they will site you if you don't have a 7" gauge

I keep a 7'' gauge for $hits and giggles...also to make sure my abs make it. 
It does seem pretty ridiculous that if you have a 9'' gauge and all your abs are 9'' or better you get cited.
But hey, we are not here to be human or have any common sense. Just follow the regs. 

I have a stainless steel Ab iron and a requisite 7" measure on the same loop handle attached to a float line. I drop it in interesting locations and carry a 9" plastic measure, plus have a 10" version in the boat or tube - just in case.

Ever hopeful, haven't encountered any that big in a while, now.

The ab irons with the built in 7" tabs don't count as a 7" guage because it wont go over the shell. I always have a 7" attached to my float and a 9" on my wrist.

You have to have a 7" regulation gauge with you even if you have a 8,9,10,12 they will site you if you don't have a 7" gauge

Exactly.

Thanks, all for the replies. Maybe we should push for a regulatory change that says the measuring device can measure "above or below" the shell. I that case the ab iron with tabs could suffice, since you can measure the shell on the "foot" side just as well as over the "hump" side. Just thinking of ways to simplify the thing.

Not if it's a meaty ab