SONOMA CO., 12/3/25 – A man was arrested recently along the Sonoma Coast for allegedly possessing poached red abalone he intended to sell, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife said Wednesday.
CDFW did not release the man’s name or the date of the arrest. Wildlife officers said they spotted lights at Ocean Cove in the unincorporated community of Jenner. Officers approached a group of people and allegedly saw several of them placing items in containers. One man was found carrying a bag with 15 poached red abalone, CDFW officials said.
He was arrested on suspicion of possessing abalone with the intent to sell, and was booked into Sonoma County Jail, according to CDFW. No additional details were released.
Red abalone, the largest abalone species found in California, is critically endangered. Populations have collapsed in recent years due to the explosion of purple sea urchins, which have decimated kelp forests — the primary food source for abalone, according to CDFW.
Due to red abalone’s declining numbers, the state has prohibited red abalone hunting since 2016. State law allows fines of up to $40,000 and one year in jail for poaching.Â
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Why didn’t you report the names?
Hi Sharon, thanks for reading The Mendocino Voice. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife would not release the name.
Is there any further information as to how they were taking abalone? Collecting at the low tide? diving? I used to dive for abalone at Ocean Cove when there was still an open season. It can be really treacherous there, especially with large swells and high tides.
Can any one explain what is wrong with people? I just cannot imagine any person so dense and uncaring. Sad, bad and now, obviously – mad.