The California Department of Fish and Game conducted two abalone checkpoints on California's north coast on June 16 and 17.

Both checkpoints were slower than usual due to rough ocean conditions.

One checkpoint in Navarro, Mendocino County, was conducted by 21 game wardens and one State Park ranger. Members of the Mendocino Abalone Watch group assisted with game bag checks and directing traffic. Officers made contact with 409 divers and issued 10 citations for violations including over-limits of abalone, failure to complete abalone report cards and properly tag abalone, and possession of undersized abalone. Wardens are working with the Mendocino County District Attorney's office to investigate two individuals who came through the checkpoint with 78 immature marijuana plants (each approximately 18 inches tall).

At Russian Gulch in Sonoma County, 20 officers including game wardens and State Park and county park rangers contacted 563 divers. Officers issued 16 citations for over-limits of abalone and turban snails, abalone report card violations and possession of undersized greenlings, short abalone, abalone out of shell and illegally harvested abalone.