| The Problem of Poaching | Who To Contact | Reward | Current and Pending Cases |
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This last viable abalone sport fishery is located in the waters
of the Northern California coast. Large scale poaching
activities have cleaned out some areas that just a few years ago
supported abundant stocks in Northern California,.
It takes ten years or more for an abalone in Northern California to reach the legal size of seven inches. With this slow rate of growth, poaching can literally wipe out a population in a given area in a short time. HOW CAN YOU HELP? California Department of Fish & Game wardens patrol this coastline and conduct continuous undercover activities. The nature of the coast together with the distance and remoteness make surveillance difficult - that's why your help is needed. You can provide valuable information to the officers on people taking undersized abalone or exceeding bag limit. All information is valuable. Your seemingly minor tip may be just the bit of information needed to assist in apprehension. A license plate, the color and make of a vehicle, a location, etc. may fit into an ongoing investigation, and help to close a case. SCAN has initiated a reward program for people who turn in poachers. Reward money of up to $1,000.00 is provided jointly by SCAN and the Sonoma County Fish and Wildlife Advisory Board. |
| A REWARD OF UP TO $1,000.00 IS OFFERED FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO THE ARREST AND CONVICTION OF ABALONE THIEVES. |
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HOW DO I REPORT?
Phone the CALTIP number and mention that this is an abalone
report. Your information will be handled separately from
Reports of other game violations. If you are interested in
collecting a reward for your information (rewards are paid
for Large scale poaching activities for information that
leads to an arrest and conviction) tell this to the
CalTIP.
* Description of person(s), height, weight, complexion,
etc. Remember . . . the single greatest complaint from game wardens regarding CalTIP reports is that the information is stale(too old) or the information is too vague. Detailed timely information is vital. |
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WHERE TO CALL CALTIP: 888-DFG-CALTIP (1-888-334-2258) 24 HOURS A DAY,TOLL-FREE. |
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It can be difficult to spot an abalone poacher. They may try to
blend in with the normal activity of other legal sport divers,
which includes a lot of loading and transporting of gear, boats,
etc. Some of the techniques employed are similar to drug
smugglers, which can involve night pickups, hidden drops at
isolated coves, and the use of SCUBA gear. As lucrative as this
crime is, poachers will continue to devise more clever ways to
perpetuate their illegal activities.
If you think you may have witnessed what could be a poacher in the act, THEN PLEASE ACT! Take down license plate number, note the time of day, and keep the suspected parties under your watchful eye. Do not attempt to interfere or approach them. Call the CalTIP number immediately. We will take care of the rest. Remember, the Sonoma Coastline is a resource for EVERYONE. If we protect it, If we protect it, future generations will enjoy it just as we do today. Your information will be given to a game warden for investigation. All information given will be confidential and the caller will remain anonymous. COURT ACTIONSJune 2008 Abalone Violations in Mendocino - When Will They Ever Learn? June 10-2008 Mendocino Abalone Poachers Sentenced to stiff fines and time behind bars - 2/8/08 Mendocino Abalone Violators Sentenced or Tried Jan 24, 2008 - 1/24/2008 Man Arrested Third Time - Three Time Loser - 01-23-08
Arrest prompts abalone divers to push
Mendocino Poacher Sentenced for Near Ft Bragg - October 27, 2007
Mendocino County Abalone Violators
Chinese Triads Fuel Illegal Abalone Trade in SCAN AND RFA TACKLE ILLEGAL COMMERCIALIZATION OF WILDLIFE - 9-18-2007 Seven Arrested For Alleged Roles In Abalone-Poaching Ring - September 6, 2007 TWO PLEAD NO CONTEST IN ABALONE CONSPIRACY CASE - January 13, 2007 SCAN supported legislative proposal to make abalone poaching a little more painful.
June 30, 2004 Major Abalone Poachers - Commercial Urchin Divers Kurt Ward and Joshua Holt sentenced to Prison. Read more about their crime and sentencing here Gee Brothers and Duong A. Luu Convicted and Sentenced to Prison on Felony ChargesDuong Luu Sentenced - 10/8/2002
Update on current action of Sonoma County Abalone trials as of March 2002: Five people were arrested in June of 2000 by undercover wardens for poaching and sales of Another defendant Phillip W. Murphy of Novato, who in 2001 was charged along with others in a conspiracy of taking and selling abalone from the Sonoma coast. The charges grew out of undercover surveillance by Fish & Game that Murphy dived and stock-piled abalone for sale to a San Francisco Sea Food company. Murphy will appear for a preliminary hearing on April 24, 2002. The third trial, that of Joel Roberts and John Funkey was set for February 2002, however, for reasons unknown to this writer, the action was continued for sentencing. John Funkey will be sentenced on April 26, 2002 and Joel Roberts will be sentenced on May 2, 2002, 9 a.m., Dept. 2, Judge Elliot Daum presiding. As you can see these abalone trials are slow to process. Plagued with no shows and continuances,and time consuming for prosecutors and witnesses. It seems the best strategy for defense is to string the trials out as long as possible in hopes that time will erode the charges. SCAN plans to have people in the courtroom on the dates indicated. It is imperative that we have a good show of support for the Roberts sentencing on May 2, 9 a.m., Dept. 2. PAST:4 Charged With Abalone Conspiracy In Sonoma County 11/16/01 New Abalone Poaching Case to be tried in Marin In August 2001 three men were arrested after three weeks of undercover surveillance by Fish and Game Investigators. Go here for more information about this pending case and, because the case will be tried in Marin County, which is notoriously lenient on violators of Fish and Game laws, it is urgent that Letters be sent to the District Attorney
County of Sonoma
vs. Joel Roberts and John Funkey
Felony Conspiracy - Case # SCR 30619
Abalone Buyer Forfeits BMW - 8/24/01 |
