Beachcombing questions

Usually yes for empty shells, within local limits. National seashores that allow it set a daily amount, from a handful at Olympic to five gallons at Cape Lookout. Point Reyes allows none, and Washington State Parks asks visitors not to take shells at all.

It depends on the park: five gallons per person per day at Cape Lookout, two gallons at Cumberland Island, one gallon at Cape Cod and Padre Island, two quarts a day at Fire Island. Only unoccupied shells count.

No. Hawaii law makes it illegal to take sand, dead coral or coral rubble anywhere in the state. The state’s aquatic resources division says collecting shells and beach glass is still allowed.

Only with a recreational saltwater fishing license, and not everywhere. Lee County bans taking live shells, Manatee County limits you to two per species per day including sand dollars and starfish, and Bahama starfish may never be taken.

It varies widely. Oregon allows up to one cubic yard per person per day from the ocean shore. California state parks allow it only where a posted authorization exists. Cape Cod permits it only as campfire fuel, and Gulf Islands not at all.

Michigan’s limit is 25 pounds of rocks per person per year on state-owned land and public trust shoreline. On private land you need the owner’s permission.

Yes, in small amounts. The limit is a one-gallon container per person per day and three gallons per year for agates, shells, stones and fossils found loose on the ground, for personal use.

At Cumberland Island National Seashore, yes — fossilized shark teeth are allowed along with empty shells. At Padre Island fossils may not be collected. Elsewhere in the national park system fossils are protected unless the park says otherwise.

Put it back where you found it. Every park that allows shell collecting limits it to unoccupied shells, and a shell with a hermit crab is occupied.