MENDOCINO CO., 2/6/26 – A woman was ticketed last weekend on suspicion of poaching red abalone from the waters along Van Damme State Park south of Mendocino, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife said Thursday.
According to the agency, a wildlife officer observed a man and woman taking purple sea urchins from the rocky shoreline of the park. But it was more than urchins the woman was allegedly taking. Moments later, the officer said he saw her shove an abalone down her pants.
The officer contacted the couple as they walked back to their car. While inspecting their license and catch, the officer asked what the woman had allegedly concealed.
The woman then produced a small red abalone from her pants, the agent said. Suspecting she may have been hiding additional abalone, the officer requested assistance from another wildlife officer to conduct a search.
Rather than be searched, the woman voluntarily produced a second abalone from her pants.
The woman, whose name was not released by the agency, was cited for poaching two red abalone. The man accompanying her was found in compliance with fishing regulations and was not ticketed.
Recreational red abalone fishing has been closed in California since 2016 due to severe population declines. In December, state regulators extended the closure through at least 2036, citing continued low abalone numbers and the slow recovery of kelp forests along the North Coast.
Under state law, abalone poaching can carry penalties of up to $40,000 in fines and one year in jail.
Throw the book at her. She gambled and she lost. Knew exactly what she was doing and that it was a crime.
There a number to call if suspicious activity is witnessed?
Yes, CALTIP, 888-334-2258. Poaching is a serious crime.
James