Officials bust dozens of alleged abalone poachers

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2012/06/06/state/n191345D29.DTL&tsp=1

http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20120606/ARTICLES/120609653/1350?p=all&tc=pgall&tc=ar
Extra Abs hidden under seats, in the center console - doctoring report card for extra take . . .

Wow. I went diving on Tuesday - on my way south from Fort Bragg we saw 6 DFG trucks heading north. EVERY pull-off spot was loaded with cars. We went to Van Damme and at 6:30 we got one of the last few parking spots available, the place was packed.

7 frustrated people forced to give up their abs because they intentionally lied on their report card so they can double dip the tag at a later date  . I think this is as big a problem as your standard commercial poacher, deserving of equal punnishment.

I hope they weren't told what the fines are so they are equally frustrated when the judge slaps them with a massive fine. 

Bunch of Dicks.

Good to hear DFG did some good work.

from Press Democrat:  {{One former Californian who now lives in Montana said he'll stay home next season after forfeiting his abalone and earning a citation.

Missoula resident Dave Lucero, 54, said he merely forgot to read the updated regulations and failed to properly complete his report card.

“I probably won't come back and dive,” Lucero said. “They won't get my money for the license, and they won't get my money for the report card.”}}

Guys like this can stay home, does he think all of us that live here dont have to read the regs and fill out report cards??  LAME-O !!

Again, these people who "doctor" or misappropriate abalone tags and poach should face bigger consequences:

1: Lifetime ban from buying a fishing license
2: 25,000 dollar fine
3. Community service

It obviously isn't working DFG if every year more and more people are getting busted. Fines need to be increased, with the state of our
budget throw jail time out the window because we can't afford to house these criminals. I'm sure sacramento could use the money to fund teachers, F16s 

In all seriousness it disgusts me people that blatantly break the rules and get no more than a slap on the wrist.

I've seen the show - Wild Justice on TV.  One scene showed 2 guys with over limits.  They threw one underneath their truck and another next to the bushes where they got pulled over.  The game warden gave both guys tickets and confiscated the abs and all their dive gear.  They were denying everything the whole time.   

I know it can be hard to determine "simple mistakes" and willful disregard for the laws. But when its the latter they need to be dealt with on a super harsh level. I'd say stuffing them in the console or chucking them out the window means you KNEW it was wrong and figured you'd risk it.

All agencies are looking at this now until the summer close. CHP, Sheriff, DIR, Park Rangers, I think even brand inspectors.

Good to hear DFG did some good work.

from Press Democrat:  {{One former Californian who now lives in Montana said he'll stay home next season after forfeiting his abalone and earning a citation.

Missoula resident Dave Lucero, 54, said he merely forgot to read the updated regulations and failed to properly complete his report card.

“I probably won't come back and dive,” Lucero said. “They won't get my money for the license, and they won't get my money for the report card.”}}


+1 on that!
Guys like this can stay home, does he think all of us that live here dont have to read the regs and fill out report cards??  LAME-O !!

Good to hear DFG did some good work.

from Press Democrat:  {{One former Californian who now lives in Montana said he'll stay home next season after forfeiting his abalone and earning a citation.

Missoula resident Dave Lucero, 54, said he merely forgot to read the updated regulations and failed to properly complete his report card.

“I probably won't come back and dive,” Lucero said. “They won't get my money for the license, and they won't get my money for the report card.”}}


+1 on that!
Guys like this can stay home, does he think all of us that live here dont have to read the regs and fill out report cards??  LAME-O !!

lol, I kinda laughed when I read that too......"If I can't poach abs then I'm just gonna stay home and keep my 50 bux....how you like them apples california!"

These new tags are a pain in the ass though.  You need scissors cause they don't tear off.  You need a waterproof super pen to write on the wet plastic coated paper.  Also don't forget your hole puncher device since you don't want to have a hanging Chad..  you should get all these tools to fill out the card when you buy your ab card.

scissors and a sharpie?  add that to the inconvenience of buying your own zip ties and using the scissors to cut a nick in the tag.... seems maybe that snail should be left alone, especially since the $2 scissors (dont want to dull your dive knife after all) and $2 sharpie are breaking the budget after your 7mil wetsuit/hood/booties/ab-iron/measuring device/collecting bag/yak or dive board purchase.  I dont want to be a reeking puckerhole, but I'm not very sympathetic here....sorry man

the report card could be printed on regular paper....then you would be even more f-ed when it fell apart and only left a zip tie on the shell.... that would be an actual breech of the law amd DFG could beg off on budgetary concerns for not using that expensive and luxurious paper they have now...

btw, as I cant afford a 7 mil suit, and therefore dont eat abalone I'm dont have a very big dog in the fight...  but I have lots of garden snails, and there is no limit on them 

What I would like to see is tow trucks lined up.first offenders tickets,second vehicle tow,poachers lose more money,dfg gets money,local tow trucks get a boost in business.once word gets out that there towing vehicles it should slow them down

These new tags are a pain in the ass though.  You need scissors cause they don't tear off.  You need a waterproof super pen to write on the wet plastic coated paper.  Also don't forget your hole puncher device since you don't want to have a hanging Chad..  you should get all these tools to fill out the card when you buy your ab card.

I use a small Swiss Army knife,it has scissors and it cuts the tags easy , and i use it to cut a slot int the tag for my zip tie,$9.99 and is only one piece no need for hole punch  or a pair of scissors,and i do have a space pen .