Gaffing Undersized Shark That’s Biting My Thumb

As long as you are a specific distance offshore 

As long as you are a specific distance offshore 

Correct. No shallower than 60' nor deeper than 120'.

NotaSeal

Gaffs also cannot be used to take  salmon, steelhead, sturgeon or striped bass.

Well, that's incorrect too...there are situations in which you CAN gaff salmon!
There's gotta be some fine-print clause on these Q&A letters (indicating it is not legal gospel) or else they could be held liable for whatever inaccuracies they publish/? And it seems like they often publish incorrect/incomplete/inaccurate info in these little Q&A deals. Although I DO appreciate that they share these questions & responses.

You CAN gaff a LEGAL sized Salmon caught using LEGAL methods and gear right?

Yes

Ahhh, good catch. You are correct. The devil's in the details. I should write a letter to the DFG asking if I could legally take a dump in the ocean...

I think that's OK, but you definitely don't want to assist in landing it...

Gaffs also cannot be used to take  salmon, steelhead, sturgeon or striped bass.

Well, that's incorrect too...there are situations in which you CAN gaff salmon!
There's gotta be some fine-print clause on these Q&A letters (indicating it is not legal gospel) or else they could be held liable for whatever inaccuracies they publish/? And it seems like they often publish incorrect/incomplete/inaccurate info in these little Q&A deals. Although I DO appreciate that they share these questions & responses.

You CAN gaff a LEGAL sized Salmon caught using LEGAL methods and gear right?

Yes. Same with stripers. There is no situation where you can use a gaff n a sturgeon or steelhead in our ocean though.