Invertebrate Management Project: Abalone Work Products

Much of the research the Invertebrate Management Team completes to aid in the management of important commercial and recreational marine invertebrate fisheries is documented in the form of technical reports, data summaries, and scientific publications, including the Fish and Game Quarterly. Invertebrate Management Team staff also engage and educate the public through Outdoor California articles, flyers, educational brochures and other venues. The following links provide access to many of CDFW's abalone work products and publications that fall within the realm of fishery-dependent and fishery-independent research, and educational outreach.

• Abalone Report Card Data and Information
• California Red Abalone (PDF)
  Brochure that describes picking methods, regulations, and biology
• Status of the Fisheries Reports
  An in-depth status report on the five major species of abalone found in California's ocean waters, with historic landings data
  • Abalones - 2011 (PDF)
  • Culture of Abalone - 2008 (PDF)
  • Abalones - 2003 (PDF)
  • Abalone - 2001 (PDF)
• Marine Protected Areas in Central California and Potential Benefits to Selected Species: Abalone (PDF)
  An overview of abalone status of the population, home range/migratory patterns, current regulations, and how central California MPAs may affect the species

Northern California Recreational Fishery Status Reports

• Northern California Red Abalone Fishery (2010) (PDF)
• Fishery Status Update: Northern California Red Abalone (2009-2012)
• Red Abalone Fishery Management Plan
• Red Abalone: Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
  Effective April 1, 2019
• Found a Tagged Abalone? (Van Damme State Park)

Videos

• North Coast Abalone Management (Video)
  Abalone lovers! Check out this exciting and informative video produced by one of CDFW's abalone researchers. You will see what is involved in assessing the status of this precious resource.
• Abalone Report Card Instructions (Video)
  This video shows abalone sport divers and rock pickers how to comply with abalone regulations that became effective April 2008.

Magazine and Newsletter Articles

• Environmental Disaster Continues to Decimate Bull Kelp Forests and Red Abalone Populations in Northern California
  Marine Management News blog post, October 2019
• "Perfect Storm" Decimates Northern California Kelp Forests
  Marine Management News blog post, March 2016
• Public Survey to Guide Red Abalone Fishery Management Now Available
  Marine Management News blog post, February 2015
• CDFW Kicks Off Its Red Abalone Management Plan Development Process
  Marine Management News blog post, August 2014
• Abalone and Red Sea Urchins Die During Red Tide in Northern California (PDF)
  Marine Management News, October 2011
• Surveying for Abalone: Fish and Game Divers Survey the Ocean Floor for the Diminishing Species (PDF)
  Outdoor California, May/June 2009 - Feature article about the Invertebrate Management Team's abalone dive surveys
• 2008's Largest Red Abalone (PDF)
  Marine Management News, January 2009
• Abapalooza: The 2006 San Miguel Island Abalone Survey (PDF)
  Marine Management News, May 2007
• Withering Syndrome and the Recovery of Southern California Abalones (PDF)
  Marine Management News, December 2004

News Releases