a few old pics

One more

Wow super cool information. Hard to believe the abalone population was that enormous.

That's a nice look at what once was.  I grew up on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, that area had an Abalone moratorium starting back in the 70's.  At low tide, poachers would eat the juveniles raw right out of the shells.  I don't think that area ever recovered.   In the early 80's my friends and I would drive up to Ft. Braggs from Cal Maritime for a quick easy limit of Abalones free diving.  I wonder how the stocks are today?

Pacific Grove/Morro Bay, CA – August 1908
“To Catch Abalones: Japanese at Pacific Grove Undertake New Industry
“A new industry is being inaugurated near Moro Rock, south of Monterey. A colony of Japanese leaves today for that place and will make use of a diving bell in deep-sea fishing for abalones.
“These are so abundant in that vicinity that an average take of five tons daily is expected. The catch is dried for export and Pacific Coast consumption.”
Santa Maria Times, August 11, 1906, p. 8, col. 5.
**Image: **White Point Japanese abalone diver, San Pedro, California, c. 1905. From https://www.palosverdeshistory.org/islan.../object/pvld:2869

Fort Bragg, CA – September 1952
“Abalone Taken …
“… from reefs off Fort Bragg in dives from the research boat, Broadbill, during the current survey of abalone along the California coast are examined by: (left to right) Glenn Bickford, diver, deck hand and line tender; Keith Cox, Bureau of Marine Fisheries aquatic biologist; William (Pinky) Thomas, boat handler, and Dee McFadden, skipper of the Broadbill.
Santa Rosa Press Democrat, September 28, 1952, p. 17, col. 1.
Photo by Joyce Barkley

Interesting Sea Hunt (1959) where Mike Nelson teaches Leonard Nimoy how to dive for abalone. I loved this show when I was a kid.

Interesting Sea Hunt (1959) where Mike Nelson teaches Leonard Nimoy how to dive for ablone. I loved this show when I was a kid.

Nice find..... I also enjoyed Sea Hunt in my youth.

Watched it and liked it, ty for sharing!