Comments About the Abalone Survey

Well the recreational abalone angler survey that will be used for the abalone FMP process is just about complete, ends March 6th. Of whom who did the survey thus far and cares to comment about it, what do you think ? 

I did it, and really am pleased by the questions regarding opening up MPAs to abalone take and raising the size limit. Maybe they are actually considering these!

I think raising the size limit to something like 9 inches needs to happen ASAP. This would be a guaranteed way to reduce overall take.

I'm also interested in hearing more opinions.

I took the survey.
I like the pay as you play concept.
Buy increments of 3 abalone for $5 each up to 24 per year.

How about the question relating to the length of the season. How did some field this question The question was how important was it to you, the length of the season ?

Strongly important
Somewhat support
Neutral
Somewhat not important
Not important at all

Or are there other questions that were on the survey one might want to comment on ?


 

They will prob go every other weekend, but only hook and line, kinda like limpets.......

They will prob go every other weekend, but only hook and line, kinda like limpets.......

I got a buddy kid you not that grubs down them limpets.................

  I can't help feeling like the regulations get more and more restrictive for those of us who follow them but meanwhile one poacher kills more abalone in one day than I do in a couple years.
  As far as the size increase to 9" would be a little too restrictive but I could go along with the Oregon minimum size of 8". I dive with a 10" gauge but sometimes on a rough day with no viz (maybe we have guests who have never tasted ab) I just want to jump in for a quick meat dive. I'm not above grabbing any legal ab. I would hate for the legal size to be 9" although I stated on the survey that I do not mind getting skunked... so I guess I am contradicting myself on that one.

I recommended making it more expensive (I like the pay in increments idea) and use the extra funds to make enforcement of poachers more effective.

Upping the minimum size is probably due, but there'll be lots of 7 to just under 8 inchers popped, replaced and bleeding out...

8" is fine.  9" is not fine. 

8am start time is not fine.

Shorter seasons are not ok. 

I proposed something like:

- 6 tags at a time, valid for one calendar month.
- 3 abalone per day, 6 per month limit.
- 24 annual limit
- must report tags online before purchasing new tags
- tags are available for purchase online
- no closed hours, no closed months.

  I can't help feeling like the regulations get more and more restrictive for those of us who follow them but meanwhile one poacher kills more abalone in one day than I do in a couple years.
  As far as the size increase to 9" would be a little too restrictive but I could go along with the Oregon minimum size of 8". I dive with a 10" gauge but sometimes on a rough day with no viz (maybe we have guests who have never tasted ab) I just want to jump in for a quick meat dive. I'm not above grabbing any legal ab. I would hate for the legal size to be 9" although I stated on the survey that I do not mind getting skunked... so I guess I am contradicting myself on that one.

Poaching isn't going to stop and is a separate issue. I think it's too easy to get a limit of abalone. At places like Van Damme, you have vans full of divers going out and doing meat runs. With a 9" limit, they'd have to work a lot harder, and some would get skunked, but that's fishing.

This isn't the sustainable fishery that so many like to claim it is, and with more and more people getting excited about "foraging" and "hunting and gathering" it's only going to get worse. Fiddling with the bag limits hasn't seem to have worked.

8" is fine.  9" is not fine. 

8am start time is not fine.

Shorter seasons are not ok. 

I proposed something like:

- 6 tags at a time, valid for one calendar month.
- 3 abalone per day, 6 per month limit.
- 24 annual limit
- must report tags online before purchasing new tags
- tags are available for purchase online
- no closed hours, no closed months.

What you're proposing - year-round take and an increased annual bag limit from 18 - would probably increase the overall take. That is not the DFW's goal.
I like Eric's idea of increasing the cost as well. How much would you pay annually for a hobby you love? Maybe $100 if it meant more wardens patrolling the coast?

I forgot to add $20/tag. I think it should cost more.

my method also gives a more accurate count of tagged sport abalone take since an angler can only have 6 tags out at a time, so non-reporting is not as big of a problem.

I forgot to add $20/tag. I think it should cost more.

my method also gives a more accurate count of tagged sport abalone take since an angler can only have 6 tags out at a time, so non-reporting is not as big of a problem.

$20 per tag or per six-ab card? Good idea either way. And you can't get a new card until you turn in the current one? Also smart.
My feeling is that they need to take some serious measures soon, not in typical DFW fashion where they impose regs years after they should have.

Per 6 ab card. Or $20 for the first one, $40 for the second, $60 for the third, $100 for the fourth.

Baby steps.

No reason to charge people more.  I do like hunter/gathering but if I already pay for the license why should I pay more for each separate species.  Eventually they will tax many out of a hobby.  No hunter gathering/ fishing should cost more than it would to purchase the same item at the store. If they keep increasing fees it will force financially strapped folks to quit, and may encourage more poaching instead of less.  Raising a size limit at least gives them a chance at filling a freezer with a little more effort without over charging for something that most would consider a right. 

We all know once the State or Feds take something away or charge more it is near impossible to reverse.  And there is no way that charging more will equal more enforcement.  Just not true.