Collecting Regulations in California?

[phobos2deimos]

Anybody familiar with macros collection regulations in CA? Looked on the Fish & Game site but didn't notice any specific mention.

 

[reret10]

I looked into this a while ago when I wanted to setup a temperate (chilling would have been to expensive). Technically it is legal to collect and possible more importantly most Marine macro algae although not kelp. That was 2013 anyways and I'm sure theirs not much of a difference between last year and this year. Are you using it in a tropical reef tank or a temperate tank? I would love to be able to put some in my refugium.

 

[phobos2deimos]

I looked into this a while ago when I wanted to setup a temperate (chilling would have been to expensive). Technically it is legal to collect and possible more importantly most Marine macro algae although not kelp. That was 2013 anyways and I'm sure theirs not much of a difference between last year and this year. Are you using it in a tropical reef tank or a temperate tank? I would love to be able to put some in my refugium.

Reef tank. I saw codium and sargassum yesterday, curious if they would make the transition since I know both of those varieties can be kept at that temp.

 

[reret10]

I am Going on a beach trip on thanksgiving break and I will collect some macro algae and put it in my reef. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[phobos2deimos]

Okay, did some more digging and I think you're right. Macroalgae isn't explicitly regulated. The only regulation I could find is within Marine Protected Areas, which generally specify *no* collection of living marine resources unless exceptions are specified. There's a good map of SoCal's MPAs here.
Thanks for your input, and post your finds!

 

[reret10]

Yeah I looked back at an email from 2013 and the woman I was talking to from the fish and game department said macro algae was ok to collect.

 

[Plantbrain]

No state, National parks or MPA's. Flotsam is okay for kelps. I doubt anyone will tell the difference unless they are specialist. I use to make cards by drying the red's from tide pools on paper as a kid.

 

[phobos2deimos]

Thanks Tom!