How to Properly “Gift” Abalone

June 25, 2009

Question: I live in Modesto and occasionally dive for abalone with friends from the Bay Area. It’s a long drive though and ends up being a long day, sometimes barely worth the set-up time and effort for just three abalone. Occasionally, I would prefer to just give my three abalone to the others in my dive group (so they can enjoy six abalone) while I drive back to Modesto and catch up on my sleep. How can I legally do this? (Carl W., Modesto)

Answer: You must tag your abalone and fill out your report card immediately upon exiting the water. Then you must keep your abalone in your possession until you officially give or “gift” them to someone else. Keep in mind that whoever you give them to is also allowed to possess only three tagged abalone, whether they have a fishing license or not. Therefore, you may not give them to your dive buddies if your abalone combined with their own puts the gift recipient over their limit of three in possession.

To make sure there are no misunderstandings along the way should your friends be asked, it’s also a good idea to write a note for them to keep with your gifted abalone while the abs are in their possession or are being transported home. The note should be dated and include your name, address, telephone and fishing license number so that the abalone can be traced back to you, if necessary.

June 25, 2009


To make sure there are no misunderstandings along the way should your friends be asked, it’s also a good idea to write a note for them to keep with your gifted abalone while the abs are in their possession or are being transported home. The note should be dated and include your name, address, telephone and fishing license number so that the abalone can be traced back to you, if necessary.

The way it's written it looks like it was never required.

This is a few years old. I don't think this is required but I would still do it.

June 25, 2009


To make sure there are no misunderstandings along the way should your friends be asked, it’s also a good idea to write a note for them to keep with your gifted abalone while the abs are in their possession or are being transported home. The note should be dated and include your name, address, telephone and fishing license number so that the abalone can be traced back to you, if necessary.

The way it's written it looks like it was never required.

This is a few years old. I don't think this is required but I would still do it.

Not in the the regs. I've never written a note and I prolly gift more abalone than I keep for myself...

As long as they are tagged, and legal size, and still in shell, and the person doesn't have more than three in possession there shouldn't be an issue.

 

Sincerely,

Jim

I have a buddy who does this when he gifts abs.....I've never gifted abs to someone who dives so don't think anyone ever went over 3.

Matt

No need. If there is a question, the tags are traceable to you and the warden can call you if he wants to confirm that the abs weren't stolen. Other than confirming that the abs weren't stolen, what use is the note?

In oregon on the other hand, a note is required.

June 25, 2009


To make sure there are no misunderstandings along the way should your friends be asked, it’s also a good idea to write a note for them to keep with your gifted abalone while the abs are in their possession or are being transported home. The note should be dated and include your name, address, telephone and fishing license number so that the abalone can be traced back to you, if necessary.

The way it's written it looks like it was never required.

This is a few years old. I don't think this is required but I would still do it.

It says to make sure there are no misunderstandings............. IMO having a note is better than not having the note especially if they are profiling..........because you know they do.

A hand-written note would seem more sketchy if I was the attending warden!

A hand-written note would seem more sketchy if I was the attending warden!

Dude this is what they "THE MAN" is recommending


To make sure there are no misunderstandings along the way should your friends be asked, it’s also a good idea to write a note for them to keep with your gifted abalone while the abs are in their possession or are being transported home. The note should be dated and include your name, address, telephone and fishing license number so that the abalone can be traced back to you, if necessary.

I've done the note thing, just to be sure when on a big weekend (great tides and conditions, holidays) friends I have gifted to will be going through an area that will have a checkpoint.

It makes you wonder if connections are compiled, tho. Profiled?