Monday, August 24, 2009

I'm an official Seahorse!

Last night I went to my first abalone/wine festival with the Sacramento Seahorses, and it did not disappoint! They served appetizers ranging from abalone ceviche to abalone fritters, with the main course being nothing other than the traditional breaded and fried abalone slices. Everything was delicious! And this great group of people have the preparing and cooking of these fantastic treats down to a science. It was held in a member's backyard, that resembled more of a state park, than an actual yard, with tables strategically placed so that as these delectable morsels were prepared, they could be passed around and gobbled up before getting cold. The food was accompanied by fabulous bottles of wine, and the desserts....to die for! One of the things that impressed me the most about the Seahorses, was their belief that abalone divers should not take advantage of the sea. Even though the abalone population in California has made a slight comeback in recent years, abalone is still a product that has been grossly over harvested for many years leading to its near depletion. It is because of this, that strict laws have been enacted limiting the number of abalone that can be caught and transported by an individual. Commercial abalone fishing continues to be illegal. The Sacramento Seahorses truly believe that these laws should be adhered to, to preserve the health of abalone populations in the state. Any type of poaching, no matter how small the infraction, is frowned upon! The Seahorses exemplify the type of divers that I am proud to be associated with. I am already looking forward to our next event at Van Damme State Park on the California north coast!

No comments:

Post a Comment