California laws really aren't that quirky. Basically, with some exceptions,
we can collect anywhere as long as its 1000 yards off the beach..  Abalones
are totally protected south of San Francisco.  Two red abalone (Haliotis
refusens) per day are allowed to be taken with a license north of San
Francisco.  There are bag limits on some species: 10 rock scallops
(Crassadoma gigantea), 5 moon snails (Polinces lewisi), plus various limits
on some other varieties of bivalves. Speckled bay scallops (Argopecten
ventricosus) cannot be taken. California has created some new marine
preserveses along with established ones where collecting is restricted.
Basically, I collect all the time without a problem. Unfortunately, shell
collecting has become a much frowned upon endeavor. So, I try to be as
discreet as possible.  I don't discuss collecting with non collectors and
try not to disrupt the environment .

Regards from sunny California,
Paul Kanner


----- Original Message -----
From: "Ellen Bulger" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, June 15, 2003 7:29 PM
Subject: Re: Collecting by Scuba


> California has a whole bunch of freaky laws and you'd best talk to some
> Cali folks for that.
>
> I don't believe any other US states restrict shelling by scuba except
> in certain marine parks. I could be wrong.
>
> In the Bahamas, you can't collect off Nassau or the south shore of
> Grand Bahama. In the out islands, like Eleuthera or the Abacos, certain
> dive operators can get prissy. In my experience in depend where they
> are from. Dive masters from the US aren't thrilled about shelling, but
> Bahamian dive masters are usually pretty cool . They often help you
> hunt for shells. But don't be surprised if they expect you to return
> the favor and help them haul up Strombus gigas for salad for lunch.
>
> The water is cleaner in the Bahamas too.
>
> It is better in the BAHAMAS!
>
>   Ellen Bulger100
>