Abalone regulations change again

The abalone license has changed again this year. CenCal, the Central California Diving Council has a complete list of abalone regulations on their web site.

1. If you are 16 years of age or older you must have a fishing license to take abalone. A One-Day Pacific Ocean-only license or a One-Day Pacific Ocean-Only License with Ocean Enhancement Stamp is not valid for the take of abalone.

2. To take abalone your fishing license must have a Sport Abalone Stamp attached to it and you must also have a current and nontransferable Abalone Report Card with your license. Immediately upon taking and/or bring ashore an abalone you must make a hole in the report card in one of the designated locations and record with indelible ink the date, time and location in the spaces adjacent to the punch. The yearly limit is 100 abalone. The Abalone Report Card must be returned to the Department of Fish and Game, 20 Lower Ragsdale Drive, Suite 100, Monterey, California 93940, within 30 days of the close of the calendar year.

3. Persons diving from a boat or shore may have their license, abalone stamp and report card on their boat or within 500 yards of shore respectively, instead of wearing it as other fishermen must do. A dive board or kayak is considered a boat.

4. Abalone taken under authority of a sport fishing license may not be sold. Abalone shells and abalone pearls can not be sold because they are also taken under authority of a sport fishing license.