Abalone and Scuba Gear

July 9, 2009

Question: If I’m out spearfishing with scuba gear, can I leave the scuba gear in the boat to also free dive for abalone?

Answer: No. Sport divers are prohibited from using scuba or other surface-supplied air equipment to take abalone, and they cannot possess abalone on board any boat, vessel, or floating device in the water containing scuba or surface-supplied air. There is no problem transporting abalone and scuba gear together while on land. Divers working from boats, kayaks, float tubes or other floating devices who wish to use scuba equipment to spear fish or harvest sea urchins, rock scallops or crabs of the genus Cancer, will need to make a separate trip for abalone.

It was either this year or maybe last year that I saw a Zodiac land at Ocean Cove with scuba and abs on board.  One hauled away in handcuffs.  Originally stopped by Salt Point ranger.  Hauled away by county sheriff. 

I go as far as taking the scuba gear back to the camp or vehicle before free diving for abs. I don't want to force a LEO to make a decision about my intent or actions. I have seen several incidents where F&G has told someone that they will let a judge make the determination who is correct.

It was either this year or maybe last year that I saw a Zodiac land at Ocean Cove with scuba and abs on board.  One hauled away in handcuffs.  Originally stopped by Salt Point ranger.  Hauled away by county sheriff.

really, I saw some guys launching a zodiac a few years ago at point arena and they had tanks on board and one of the guy walked by us (me and a census guy) and I ask the census taker as he was measuring my abs"I thought scuba gear is not allowed while diving for abs", he said its not then turns back around and continue to measure the rest of my abs

All the census takers that I've encountered are just interns and not up on the F&G regulations.  When asked how fishing was on a particular slow day (I'm known for having an abundance of slow days) I told him that I had a limit of garibaldi.  His reply was "What's a garibaldi?

All the census takers that I've encountered are just interns and not up on the F&G regulations.  When asked how fishing was on a particular slow day (I'm known for having an abundance of slow days) I told him that I had a limit of garibaldi.  His reply was "What's a garibaldi?

They make excellent fish tacos