aquaria, collecting, permits, tidepools, fish, shells, kelp, algae, release, transport, breeding
Finfish of any kind cannot be transported live and thus cannot be collected for use in a home aquarium (Transporting live “finfish” (as opposed to mollusks and crustaceans) is prohibited (California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 1.62).
You can, however, collect, transport, and hold live marine invertebrates for a personal marine aquarium under the authority of a recreational fishing license, so long as it’s not for commercial purposes or propagation (breeding). Also, all recreational fishing regulations must be observed, including fishing license/report card, gear, seasons, area, and bag and possession limit restrictions. So, for example, you could not collect undersized lobster, or any prohibited species like abalone.
Finally, you cannot return aquarium-held animals to the ocean because it is unlawful to place, plant, or cause to be placed or planted, in any of the waters of this State, any live fish, any fresh or salt water animal, or any aquatic plant, whether taken without or within the State, without first submitting it for inspection to, and securing the written permission of, CDFW (see Section 6400, California Fish and Game Code).