Abalone
After the last sucssesful snorkling trip to gather goodness from the sea, we decided to pitch our efforts alittle higher. Abalone.
After a drive and a walk to a secret and stunningly beautiful location we donned the gear. Snorkle, masks, rashie, gloves, knife and flippers. We jumped in and noticed that there was alittle swell. After lounging in the warm water and admiring the beautiful scenery beneath the water we got to the job. We found 3 legal* abalone and bagged them. We also spied a huge melbourne ray and a banjo shark. Cool. Now we just need to convince Casey that the underwater case for my camera is a necessity 
We respectfully took these beautiful mollusks home and Casey cleaned, sliced and tenderised them for us. They were then quickly panfried with some lemon, shallots and thyme and served them up with toast. Wow, they were quite tender and definately not shoelace like, the flavour was alot like good scallops.
*Note: Fishing licenses are required to fish in NSW. Abalone are not allowed to be remonved from sea shores between Port Stephens and Jervis Bay. The minumum legal size is 11.5 cm and a maximum of 2 abalone per person per day is allowded*
Note 2: Abalone look like a big oval shaped shell that look pink/purple here under the water due to the red colour of their shells and the algae that grows on them. They are usual found with kelp and on the sides of rocks so you need to hunt for them. To prise them off the rocks you need a knife, preferably a diving knife that can be safely strapped to your leg whilst you are swimming around. You just stick the blade in and lever them off. A mesh bag is good to carry your spoils in the water.