Stewart's Point Now Closed

The whole MLPA Thing is, honestly, a bit confusing. So much so that I had to geek-out and write a script to plot the exact coordinates on Google Maps. To make matters worse, it's incumbent on abalone divers (and fishermen) to keep track of the MLPA process and closures, since you can't expect a clear sign at every coastal access point.

Great, one more website I need to keep a sharp eye on. I'm seriously considering writing a script to download it every day and alert me if something changes.

As far as I can tell, Stewart's Point is the major Northern Central closure that affects abalone divers and pickers, so those of you who liked to get your abs at Fisk Mill Cove had better find somewhere else.

Apparently, not everyone is happy about the closure. The Pomo Indians take exception to being shut out of their historic fishing grounds, and the North Coast MLPA process doesn't seem to be going swimmingly either. It's a complex issue that probably doesn't have a make-everyone-happy resolution, and I think most of us don't feel there's much we can do other than try to understand, and wait for the results.

It Really Is Dangerous Out There

Brett Shoji Uchiyama [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]
Raymong Chin Pang Shue [1] [2]
A 36-Year-Old San Francisco Man [1] [2]

Contemplating a Surf-Dance

My modern equivalent to the Native American Rain Dance consists of a twitchy obsession with NOAA swell models and predictions and the UC San Diego Coastal Data Information Program (both concisely summarized by dive-celebrity Chuck Tribolet on his North Coast Sea Conditions at a Glance page), reassuring glances at the Fort Ross Tide Tables, Other Surf Forecasts, good old-fashioned Weather, plus an intuitive sense for how the view from the Golden Gate Bridge this morning fits all the other information.

At the moment, Saturday looks good.

It's a risk, driving a couple hours into the unknown, and we're always ready to call the whole thing off if we have a significant safety concern. The Pacific gets the final say. She is not to be trifled with.