[John H K]

Speaking of suspicious activity, have any San Francisco Bay area FReepers heard anything about a zodiac boat yesterday near the Golden Gate Bridge that was spotted by the US Coast Guard and then fled? My husband's co-workers were reporting that. Hope it's just a freaky rumor and that this NY truck business is nothing serious.

There's actually a massive problem with various forms of illegal poaching of various critters for seafood in California, such as abalones, so there's a lot of reason for people to be in boats and evade authorities other than that they're terrorists.

[EggsAckley]

Yes, and since harvesting abalone is currently illegal, the increased attention could possibly slow down the poaching.

[demnomo]

There's actually a massive problem with various forms of illegal poaching of various critters for seafood in California, such as abalones, so there's a lot of reason for people to be in boats and evade authorities other than that they're terrorists.

Yuck. I wouldn't eat anything that came out of San Francisco Bay. Here in Sonoma County, (about 50 miles north of SF.) there is a problem with poachers that prowl the coastline. Don't know what the guy was looking for near the bridge posts...lamprey eels, barnicles? Who knows? Better to be vigilant (and feel foolish if all is naught) than to ignore something suspicious and later find out...well, you know.