Question on Abalone Start Time

June 23, 2016

Question: I know that the start time for abalone diving is now 8 a.m. If it takes me 15 minutes to swim out to the spot I want to start diving for abs, can I enter the water at 7:45 a.m. and not make my first dive until 8 a.m., or does the law mean that there is no entry into the water at all until 8 a.m.? Thanks, (Don C.)

Answer: Abalone may be taken only from 8 a.m. to one-half hour after sunset (CCR Title 14, section 29.15(b)(2)). Although “take” includes the pursuit of abalone, as long as you are just swimming on the surface out to your dive spot and don’t begin your actual searching or diving down for these mollusks until 8 a.m., you would not violate the start time.

That's a weird rule.
To make sure the wardens have viewable access?


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Shameful rule.  Killer of tradition.  I hate it.

It very much discriminates against those of us who cannot dive. Most of the minus tides "bottom out" before 8 AM. We took a real hit on this one. I sent a question to the woman who writes the Marine District newsletter asking what the motivation was in this regard, since it doesn't seem to slow down or reduce take from those of you who are physically capable of diving, while folks like me who have ear issues get screwed.

It very much discriminates against those of us who cannot dive. Most of the minus tides "bottom out" before 8 AM. We took a real hit on this one. I sent a question to the woman who writes the Marine District newsletter asking what the motivation was in this regard, since it doesn't seem to slow down or reduce take from those of you who are physically capable of diving, while folks like me who have ear issues get screwed.

dfg said on their web site the reason why they changed the start time to 8 is the decline in abalone population. they hope by doing this, the rock pickers won't be out in full force. Some people were also using the dim light before dawn to hide illegal activities. it goes on to say, however there are still opportunity to get out on minus tides. I am going out tomorrow on a minus tide (not too good) and get in before they closed.