Northern California divers are indeed fortunate to have one of the ocean’s tastiest treats so close to home–the red abalone. These mollusks are abundant in our state’s northern waters and, with a little bit of knowledge, they are easy to harvest and make a mighty fine meal. What follows are a few practical tips to prepare for your dive, collect, and cook your catch.
Abalone may only be harvested north of the Golden Gate Bridge. The season limit is 24 and daily bag and possession limit are 3. A punch card along with your fishing license is required. New 2008 regulations require divers to tag each abalone (or ab) landed. While taking abalone you must have a legal abalone iron and measuring device in your possession. Your local dive or fishing shop can fix you up with these. Only breath-hold divers—no scuba allowed—may take abalone.
First you will need a good fitting 7mm or quarter-inch wetsuit. Of course, a good fitting mask, fins and snorkel will also be needed. Weight yourself so you are neutral around 10 feet. You will also need a float, a way to hold your catch, and a way to anchor your float while you are diving. A mesh-covered inner tube works well as a float and game bag; otherwise, an inflatable mat or boogie board (diver’s mat) and goodie bag will work. Generally, it is easier to swim longer distances on a diver’s mat. You may anchor your float with a kelp anchor (a length of line with a brass clip) or a small sea anchor. The latter is preferred in the early season when there is little kelp.
The next task is to select your dive site. Allow me a bit of shameful self-promotion and suggest my book, A Diver’s Guide to Northern California. This book has more information than I have room for here. Otherwise, if you can dive to 30 feet, you will get your limit of abalone at any entry on the North Coast. If you can only dive to 10 or 15 feet you will have to select your sites more carefully. In the early days of the season many abalone may be found in shallow water right off the area’s most popular beaches. Later in the season, you will have to swim, hike or motor further to find plentiful abalone in shallow water.