Is it illegal to dive for abalone?
Abalone diving is banned, and work goes on to restore the giant sea snail on California’s coast.
What is abalone diving?
Generally, Abalone hunting is done while freediving or scuba diving in 2 metres or more of water. It’s illegal in Victoria to take Abalone from the Intertidal Zone, which is defined as the area starting on the beach at the maximum high water mark, to a point where the water is two metres deep at any time.
What is so special about abalone?
It’s a univalve, which means that unlike their bivalve brethren, the mighty abalone just has a protective shell on one side of their bodies. The other side attaches to any rocky surface it can, feeding off of algae. In terms of appearance, one could easily say it looks, well…we won’t go there.
How much do abalone divers make?
Abalone divers have to brave the freezing, murky waters of Australia’s Port Lincoln and Western Australia, but for those bold enough the pay is as great as the risk at up to $120,000.
Where can I dive for abalone?
New divers should try to concentrate their diving in shallow water just north or south of the popular coves, or swim up or down the coast as far as their endurance and skill will permit. If you have access to a boat, kayak or privately owned beach, you are in luck.
When can you dive for abalone?
Summer Heralds a Vacation from Trophy Abalone Diving Red abalone may only be taken from 8:00 a.m. until one half-hour after sunset. The minimum size limit is 7 inches along the longest shell diameter. No scuba or surface-supplied air is allowed while taking abalone.
When did the Abalone divers come to Mallacoota?
The first fleet of abalone divers with compressors came to Mallacoota around 1963. At the height of the fishing there were over 100 divers working from the port. The catches were shelled at sea and the meat brought home in 10 gallon rubbish bins.
Where do they put the lesser quality abalones?
The lesser quality abalone are darker in colour and are placed in separate bins and crates to be taken away for further grading. The weigher must ensure that each can has the correct weight. This requires good judgement because the weight of each abalone varies.
How did the Chinese get abalone for food?
Later, Chinese abalone fisheries were established to harvest the shellfish, which had been prized in their traditional cuisine for some two thousand years. While the Aboriginal method of harvesting was to lever the abalone off the rocks, the Chinese speared it through the shell.
How are abalones processed at the co-op?
Abalone are processed at the Co-op in three ways: canned, snap-frozen in the shell, or snap-frozen as meat only. They are now brought in, in the shell. The Co-op over the years has eliminated most middle-men and we ship directly. The markets are all Asian countries with the main export to Japan.