Abalone and Fund-raising Dinners

May 8, 2014
 
Question: What is the regulation regarding charity fundraisers and abalone dinners? We are being asked to offer an abalone dinner for six people at a fundraiser and the highest bidder wins. Although different than actually charging a set price for an abalone dinner, is it illegal to accept a "donation" from the highest bidder?  (Scott E., Walnut Creek)
 
Answer: You can sell a dinner to the highest bidder, but it can't be sold as an abalone dinner. You cannot advertise or sell a dinner to someone or through an auction that gives the buyer or bidder an expectation they will receive abalone for the money they spend. Even if the money is a donation to charity or to a non-profit organization, promising abalone (in any form) for money is not legal. Sport-caught abalone (or other fish and game) cannot be bought, sold, traded or bartered. You cannot commercialize sport-caught abalone in any way. If you were to buy abalone from a commercial abalone farm, then you could advertise and promote it as an "abalone dinner."
 
The only way to legally do what you are proposing is to make the entire dinner "a donation". As long as everyone going through the meal line is not "required to pay" there is no prohibition from calling it an abalone dinner.