2015 Abalone Season Off To Deadly Start

This year is proving to be one of the more dangerous abalone diving seasons. So far, five abalone divers and one scuba diver have died off the Sonoma / Marin / Mendocino coasts. Every year, abalone divers perish, many succumbing to what is known as the Sacramento Syndrome (too eager, lack of experience, unable to read the weather / tides / conditions, etc). The season runs April 1 through December 1, but is closed during July.