Abalone is a type of mollusk or sea snail. Red abalone used to be plentiful in California waters, but saw an approximately 85% drop in population following the collapse of kelp forests in the area due to a marine heatwave in 2014. Red abalone are now heavily protected, with red abalone recreational fisheries in California set to be closed until at least 2036, per the CDFW<\/a>.<\/p>\n Getty<\/p>\n The officer left his observation point and contacted the pair in the park\u2019s parking lot before they could leave. During a routine license and catch inspection, the officer asked the woman about the concealed item. She then removed a small abalone from inside her clothing, officials said.<\/p>\n Suspecting there may be more, the officer requested assistance from a female wildlife officer to conduct a further search. Once the process was explained, the woman then “produced a small abalone from inside her pants,” the post read, confirming the officer’s concerns.<\/p>\n The woman was cited for illegally taking two abalone. The male companion was found to have complied with fishing regulations and was not cited.<\/p>\n PEOPLE reached out to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) for further comment.<\/p>\n![\"Stock,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/983f7527ebd87c086dee305b9dedf6ed.jpeg\"\/)
Stock, Sea urchin on a rocky coast. <\/p>\n