Most of our dives involve annoying the fish in one way or another. *Usually thats with the pointy end of a spear. *The water here is cold (49-52 degrees) and murky (10 feet of visibility in Trinidad is a pretty good day). * The trade off is that few folks dive here and there are lots of fish and rock scallops. *The big prize on the northern CA coast is abalone. *State law prohibits use of SCUBA tanks to take abalone so we have to free dive for them. *There is no commercial fishery for abs in CA any more and no sportfishery in the southern half of the state. *~Fifteen years ago when they were still commercially available my dad found processed abalone steaks at the big fish market in Los Angeles for $60 per pound with a 5 pound minimum purchase. *People either love abalone or hate it but the ones like the taste REALLY like it. *I'm one of them.
The pictures were taken last September on the Mendocino coast about a 3 hour drive south from my place. *The new boat will be making many trips there!
My friend Adam, myself and my brother Eric on a beach dive at Albion cove kelp beds.
A bunch of us with some of our abalone. *The abs were invited to dinner with us back in camp.
This is NOT what it looks like!!! *I SWEAR I was only helping Adam zip up his wetsuit.
I like to cook. *I made a paella one night and fed about 10 adults.
