Question:
For years I have used an abalone iron for removing mussels from the rocks but was just told that I can't use any tools. Is this true? How can mussels be removed from the rocks without an ab iron or something similar? Please clarify what tools, if any, can be used totake mussels from ocean rocks. (Bill T., Lafayette)

Answer:
You may take mussels only by hand without the aid of any tools (CCR, Title 14, Section 29.10). Taking mussels by hand one at a time is far less harmful to a mussel bed than prying them off with ab irons, crowbars, screwdrivers, hoes or hammers. When people use tools they have a tendency to pry off large chunks of the mussel clusters and then pick out the desirable ones to eat, wasting the rest. Many people use a tough pair of garden gloves to pry them off. Give those a try.