SONOMA COUNTY -- The deaths of two abalone fisherman along California's North Coast this week has caught the attention of State Fish and Game rangers. They want to make sure abalone fishermen not only follow the law, but safety rules as well.

On Friday, Fish and Game established a checkpoint on Highway 1 near Bodega Bay in Sonoma County. Captain Dave Fox said, "probably one out of every ten vehicles that come through will have at least some sort of violation."

Fishermen flock to Sonoma beaches to hunt for the rare and delicious red abalone. Anglers must dive for the mollusks. They are limited to three abalone and they must specially tag their catch.

Abalone is valuable and prized by poachers. It has a high market value selling for up to 80-dollars per mollusk on the black market. Abalone is also prized by legitimate anglers. Randy Molina of Alameda says abalone tastes great and the harvesting is rewarding.

Abalone diving can be dangerous. Rough conditions on Thursday may have played a role in the death of an fisherman near Sea Ranch in Sonoma County.

Park ranger Ashford Wood described the victim as an "older fella, in his late 50's, got in trouble on the rocks in low tide and initial estimate is that it was probably a heart attack." He was the second abalone fisherman to die in just the past week.

Ranger Wood says the first safety tip for abalone fishermen is to get in shape before they hit the water.

Park rangers estimate as many as 100-thousand people fish for abalone and about six people die every year. They say it is a relatively low number especially considering the treacherous conditions along the coast

Wood says the coast between Point Arena and Point Reyes is some of the roughest coast in the United States.

Alameda diver Randy Molina says he's aware of the danger, "Its hard work out there! it not just the dive itself. Access to the coast is really difficult."

Abalone angers are advised to never go alone and always check surf reports as conditions can rapidly change.