Abalone Divers of the Central Coast

On Friday, February 21st, join the History Center of SLO County for our next Carnegie Chat, Abalone Divers of the Central Coast with Steve Rebuck.
From native peoples millennia ago to the modern era, divers on the Central Coast have pursued these mollusks for their meat and shells. This form of fishing has played a vital role in the development of our region, and Steve will share the stories of the industry and the individuals who did this challenging, fascinating work.
From native peoples millennia ago to the modern era, divers on the Central Coast have pursued these mollusks for their meat and shells. This form of fishing has played a vital role in the development of our region, and Steve will share the stories of the industry and the individuals who did this challenging, fascinating work.
Steve was born at Santa Catalina Island where his Dad fished abalone and albacore after 8 years in the US Army during WWII. His family moved to Morro Bay in 1955 where his Dad continued abalone and albacore fishing. As a teenager, Steve learned the basics of heavy gear diving, canvas suits and helmets. In the early 1960s, Steve observed sea otter which in a few short years eliminated commercial abalone diving in the Morro Bay region.
After serving in the California National Guard for 6 years, and working in the private sector, Steve returned to abalone as a consultant to the commercial abalone fleet, by then operating out of Santa Barbara. This led to 4 appearances before Congress on the Marine Mammal Protection Act and Endangered Species Act. Steve continued to dive abalone until 1997 when the State of California closed abalone fishing south of San Francisco.
Steve has continued efforts to reopen the abalone fisheries, sport and commercial.
After serving in the California National Guard for 6 years, and working in the private sector, Steve returned to abalone as a consultant to the commercial abalone fleet, by then operating out of Santa Barbara. This led to 4 appearances before Congress on the Marine Mammal Protection Act and Endangered Species Act. Steve continued to dive abalone until 1997 when the State of California closed abalone fishing south of San Francisco.
Steve has continued efforts to reopen the abalone fisheries, sport and commercial.
Friday, February 21, 2025
5:30 pm
Taking place in-person AND online
5:30 pm
Taking place in-person AND online
In-person details:
696 Monterey Street, San Luis Obispo
No registration required
Light refreshment served
696 Monterey Street, San Luis Obispo
No registration required
Light refreshment served
Online details:
Streamed via Zoom
Free preregistration required
Streamed via Zoom
Free preregistration required
If you want to watch one of our previous lectures, please select one below.
September, 2020 - Dr. Leola Macmillan and Geof Land, Toward a Moment of Reckoning: Understanding the History of Local and National Racial Violence
December, 2020 - Dr. Dan Krieger and James Papp, Eto Park and Brook Street: A Living Testament to Communities Ravaged by Racial Intolerance and Segregation
March, 2021 - Pete Kelley, The Quick and the Dead: The Committee of Vigilance and the violence of 1858
June, 2021 - Bob Hoover, Bob Vessely, & Bob Jorgensen, La Loma de Nopalera Adobe: A Historic Treasure of San Luis Obispo
September, 2021 - Laverne Buckman, Steve Kalar, and Dr. Vidya Schalk tell the story of the Rios-Caledonia adobe, and describe the work they are doing to preserve this jewel of the North County
December, 2021 - Joe Dana reflects on the life of his ancestor, William Goodwin Dana
March, 2022 - Sergeant Major Dan Sebby highlights the role of Camp San Luis Obispo in World War II
June, 2022 - Jim Gregory talks about the Central Coast Aviators of World War II
September, 2022 - Kathleen Cairns tells us about the Dallidet family, especially eldest daughter Cen.
October, 2023 - Marilyn Darnell describes when San Luis Obispo was Cow Heaven.
November, 2023 - James Papp delves into Architectural Photography in San Luis Obispo County.
February, 2024 - Pete Kelley discusses the impact of The Varian Brothers.
October, 2024 - James Papp explores the photography of Chinatown & Japantown Glamor.
September, 2020 - Dr. Leola Macmillan and Geof Land, Toward a Moment of Reckoning: Understanding the History of Local and National Racial Violence
December, 2020 - Dr. Dan Krieger and James Papp, Eto Park and Brook Street: A Living Testament to Communities Ravaged by Racial Intolerance and Segregation
March, 2021 - Pete Kelley, The Quick and the Dead: The Committee of Vigilance and the violence of 1858
June, 2021 - Bob Hoover, Bob Vessely, & Bob Jorgensen, La Loma de Nopalera Adobe: A Historic Treasure of San Luis Obispo
September, 2021 - Laverne Buckman, Steve Kalar, and Dr. Vidya Schalk tell the story of the Rios-Caledonia adobe, and describe the work they are doing to preserve this jewel of the North County
December, 2021 - Joe Dana reflects on the life of his ancestor, William Goodwin Dana
March, 2022 - Sergeant Major Dan Sebby highlights the role of Camp San Luis Obispo in World War II
June, 2022 - Jim Gregory talks about the Central Coast Aviators of World War II
September, 2022 - Kathleen Cairns tells us about the Dallidet family, especially eldest daughter Cen.
October, 2023 - Marilyn Darnell describes when San Luis Obispo was Cow Heaven.
November, 2023 - James Papp delves into Architectural Photography in San Luis Obispo County.
February, 2024 - Pete Kelley discusses the impact of The Varian Brothers.
October, 2024 - James Papp explores the photography of Chinatown & Japantown Glamor.