Wilson, Sara L. wrote:
>
> Several of you have commented that shore collecting in California is
> illegal.  Does that mean live specimens only, or is that ALL collecting?
> Maybe the following will help clean up some of the confusion about California shelling.
 
The laws regarding shell collecting on the California coastline are rather ambiguous
without doing some research.  Without quoting it verbatum, it boils down to the intent
to protect living intertidal invertebrates from the high tide mark to one thousand feet
off shore (this also includes the off-shore islands).  This would cover almost
everything left exposed by the lowest tides.  Because of the way the law was written, it
is open to some interpretaion where SCUBA is involved, but most Fish & Games wardens
will hand out a hefty fine for collecting live animals of any kind within the
1000-foot zone whether taken on SCUBA, snorkle, free diving or wading.
 
There are a few exceptions to the 'hands off' laws where California mollusks are
concerned.  These are mostly common bivalves and have seasons and bag limits spelled out
in the Fish & Game regulations.  Anyone intending to collect these species must also be
in possession of a valid California fishing license.  But this is only required for LIVE
mollusks. There is no law governing dead shells as long as they are taken outside areas
designated as parks or reserves.
 
Collecting on SCUBA outside these areas and beyond the 1000 foot limit is less
restrictive but is still governed by season and bag limits.  If you're planning to
collect in California...get a license, a map of parks and reserves (so you can stay
clear of them), and a copy of the California Fish & Game regulations. And...read the
latter cover to cover. It's a little known fact that digging tools of any kind (shovels,
rakes, etc.) are prohibited on the beach or in lagoons after sundown.
 
Hope this helps.
 
K. Hutsell