OK to Still Fish With a Pending Abalone Violation?

July 22, 2010

Question: If I am now on a one year probation because of an abalone violation, am I allowed to still buy a fishing license to go only ocean fishing? (Han S.L.)

Answer: You will have to read the terms of your probation ordered by the court. If the judge ordered no fishing for 12 months, then the answer would be no. If the judge said no abalone fishing, then other fishing may be allowed. The ruling may differ by courts, but if the case was prosecuted in the Fort Bragg court, then according to Lt. Dennis McKiver, it probably calls for no fishing at all for 12 months. That’s the usual term for abalone violations in Mendocino County.