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California Woman Cited for Poaching Rare Abalone

2/7/2026

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Summary

Story summary

A wildlife officer cited a California woman for poaching two red abalone at Van Damme State Park after seeing one concealed in her pants.
The officer observed a man legally collecting purple sea urchins nearby.
The man faced no charges.
Poaching can bring fines up to $40,000 and a year in jail.
Recreational red abalone fishing has been banned in California since 2016, with the closure extended through 2036.

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Story summary

A wildlife officer cited a California woman for poaching two red abalone at Van Damme State Park after seeing one concealed in her pants.
The officer observed a man legally collecting purple sea urchins nearby.
The man faced no charges.
Poaching can bring fines up to $40,000 and a year in jail.
Recreational red abalone fishing has been banned in California since 2016, with the closure extended through 2036.