SACRAMENTO – On May 12, 2025, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced the results of a recent enhanced maximum enforcement patrol to protect red abalone along the Northern California coast.

CDFW wildlife officers issued seven citations to people illegally taking red abalone along the Sonoma, Mendocino and Humboldt County coast. Coinciding with a series of very low tides, wildlife officers conducted patrols to protect red abalone, a fishery that has been closed since 2018 and will continue to be closed until at least 2026.

During the maximum enforcement patrol, wildlife officers encountered additional fishing violations not involving red abalone, as well as illicit drug possession and weapons violations.

“We appreciate the law enforcement work conducted by wildlife officers to protect marine life along the coast of California.  In addition to protecting our natural resources, CDFW officers protect the public.  Their jobs can be dangerous, as they often encounter armed subjects.  We thank them for their public safety service,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona.