Contact: Glenn Underwood, DFG License Revenue Branch, (916) 227-2268

DFG Asks Abalone Divers to Make Extra Effort to Accurately

The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) is advising abalone divers that it may take extra effort to punch out holes, as required by law, on 2005 Abalone Permit Report Cards. Perforations around the punch holes were inadvertently omitted when the 2005 Abalone Permit Report Cards were printed.  

As a result, DFG is asking divers to remove the punched section from the Abalone Permit Report Card in one of the designated locations using scissors, a hole punch, or other suitable means. Divers should be sure to cut out and remove the entire punch hole and number corresponding to each abalone taken.

Abalone divers have specific requirements for recording their abalone take on Abalone Permit Report Cards. Regulations state that, immediately upon bringing ashore an abalone, anglers are required to make a hole and completely remove the punched section from the Abalone Permit Report Card in one of the designated locations for each abalone taken and record in indelible ink, the date, time and location code in the spaces provided adjacent to the hole.

Abalone divers play an important role in managing California's abalone population by accurately recording their harvest information on their Abalone Permit Report Cards.  Abalone Permit Report Cards are used to protect the abalone population by enforcing bag limits and gathering data used to manage the species. Accurately recording harvest data helps to ensure a sustainable fishery in the future.

For information about abalone visit the DFG website at http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mrd/abalone.html