Lings and abs in the North Coast?

Hey Everyone,
Been gone a while, diving! that is. Been tearing up the new bottom fish season (Ling Cod and the like) Got a nice 17 pounder first trip out. Some not so good news on something I saw at my favorite abalone spot though! I was diving in 30 feet and vis was spectacular, could see the bottom just two kicks down, trust me, that's spectacular for the North Coast! Any way, I always see abs by the hundreds at this spot, but this time there was nary a a few!!!! I could have cried, I think the poachers got to it, I hope they hang some day! Oh well, after the new North Coast Reserve Zones become enacted, spearfishing and ab diving will be history as I've known it. Well gotta go. Someone write me back!
SAFE DIVING TO ALL!!!
Divn-Cali

well ab diving has been gone long before I've been alive in so cal, just thought I'd write you back

What are abs?

I know what ling cod are, but never heard of abs.

Do we have them in the North Atlantic?

Abalone.

Matt