CENTRAL COAST, Calif. - Abalone shells may be pretty, and you can find them easily on the beach but giving them as gifts can take quite a few steps, according to the Department of Fish and Games.
Here's their list of dos and don'ts when it comes to giving Abalone as gifts:
- Check with out-of-state-officials to make sure they are following the proper laws, and that the state you sending them to is allowed to import Abalone.
The regulations for sending them from California, according to Fish and Game are:
"· No more than the legal bag and possession limit of three abalone may be possessed at any time (California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 29.15(c)). Therefore, you cannot ship more that three abalone at a time. Otherwise, the shipper and the person picking up the abalone would be exceeding the possession limit.
· It is unlawful for a common carrier or his agent to transport, or offer for transport, or to receive for transportation from, any one person, during any interval of time, more than the bag limit of birds, mammals, fish, or amphibia which may legally be taken and possessed by such person during that interval (Fish and Game Code, sections 2346 and 2347).
· Abalone in possession (including transportation) shall not be removed from their shell, except at which time they are being prepared for immediate consumption (CCR Title 14, section 29.15(g)).
· Abalone must be shipped whole, in the shell with the tags attached (CCR Title 14, section 29.15(g)).
· Any package in which birds, mammals, fish, or amphibia, or parts thereof are offered for transportation to, or are transported or received for transportation by, a common carrier or his agent shall bear the name and address of the shipper and of the consignee and an accurate description of the numbers and kinds of birds, mammals, fish, or amphibia contained therein clearly and conspicuously marked on the outside thereof (FGC, section 2348).
· Fish and Game Code Section 2349 prohibits shipping of wildlife via the parcel post, so you will need to use a private shipper."
There are also laws here in California about whether or not you can bring Abalone in.
Fish and Game says, "Abalone or abalone meat legally taken outside this state may be imported into this state when accompanied by a U. S. customhouse entry certificate showing the place of origin, and a certificate or clearance from the responsible governmental agency to the effect that such shipment was made in compliance with the laws and regulations of the place or country of origin, and such abalone or abalone meat may be possessed in this state and shipped or transported out of the state, but all containers of such abalone shall be marked with the abalone's place or country of origin (FGC, section 2371)."
