From Josh Russo,
This is a fundraiser to raise funds for the urchin removal project I'm working on with the department of fish and wildlife. Watermen's Alliance has no administration fees and no paid officers which means that 100% of the money donated to us through events like this go to the project. You can also donate directly to the project by mailing a check or money order to: Watermens Alliance Urchin Removal Project, 255 Conejo Rd., Santa Barbara, CA 93103
AUG 112018 Abalone Cook Festival
Sat 10 AM ยท South Harbor Drive, Fort Bragg, CA
https://www.facebook.com/abalonecookoff/This is a description of where the proceeds from the 2018 Abalone Cook Festival will go. By eradicating the Sea Urchins, it will allow the Abalone to re-establish.
We leave the Red Urchins (bigger, black in color, alone on the rocks near the end of the video) and target the Purple Urchins only. Each day we see improvement in efficiency and numbers taken, conditions being the same...not so for low tide, or lon duration swells.
We hope to be able soon to predict the time, cost and area better for future estimates, but the entire cove will be the first goal, w/ several acres cleared near this cove in the future. It's a first, and some 'experts' say it can't be done. That makes me try harder. Harry Barnard, seen jumping in, is great to work with. He's just a kid @ 62.
Sad thing is the dead Abalone, swarmed by Purples and upside down...never happened in the past,. I think they are so shriveled up and weak, surrounded and starved by the hords of Purples, they neither eat or breed. Without Kelp, the fishery will die out as we know it, so I'm dedicating the rest of my life to change that. It's a long road ahead...
https://www.facebook.com/abalonecookoff/
