In a move to protect red abalone populations that have suffered drastic population decline, the California Fish and Game Commission (Commission) at its Dec. 10-11 meeting extended the red abalone recreational fishery closure 10 years. The Commission also approved listing Bear Lake buckwheat as an endangered species under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA) and received the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (CDFW) status review report for mountain lion in the central coast and southern parts of California.
The Commission unanimously voted to adopt regulatory amendments to extend the red abalone recreational fishery closure in Northern California until April 1, 2036. The Commission determined that continuing the closure is necessary to protect red abalone and help facilitate its restoration.
California's red abalone population suffered a drastic decline, approximately 85%, following the 2014 kelp forest collapse triggered by a marine heatwave. The loss of kelp greatly contributed to this decline and the increase in purple sea urchin densities prevent kelp recovery, abalone’s primary food source. CDFW will be supporting abalone restoration through the development of a statewide red abalone restoration plan that will include robust and adaptive strategies to support abalone populations.
The Commission determined that listing Bear Lake buckwheat as an endangered species under CESA is warranted and will adopt its findings at a future meeting. CDFW’s Native Plant Program reported that a September 2025 survey counted as few as 744 Bear Lake buckwheat plants over 1.5 acres of land not far from the shores of human-made Big Bear Lake in Southern California. That 1.5 acres is the only location in the world where this rare, small shrub is known to grow. Bear Lake buckwheat faces threats including habitat destruction and human disturbances.
The Commission received CDFW’s status review report for mountain lion in the central coast and southern parts of California. The status review report follows the Commission’s April 16, 2020, decision that a petition may be warranted to list mountain lion species in those portions of California as threatened or endangered under CESA. CDFW found that these mountain lion populations are discrete, significant and imperiled, and recommended the Commission identify a distinct population segment of mountain lions to be listed as threatened. The report contains the most current information available on mountain lion in in the central coast and southern parts of California and serves as the basis for CDFW’s recommendation to the Commission. The Commission is expected to consider the recommendation and petitioned action at an upcoming meeting. For additional information on the listing process and CDFW’s prepared status review, please see Petitions to List Species Under the California Endangered Species Act.
Meeting Participation and Next Meeting
Commission President Erika Zavaleta, Vice President Samantha Murray and Commissioner Eric Sklar were in attendance for both days of the December Commission meeting held in Sacramento; Commissioner Hostler-Carmesin was absent for a portion of the Dec. 10 meeting and Commissioner Darius Anderson was absent both meeting dates.
The complete agenda for the meeting, along with supporting information, is available on the Commission website. Archived video of past Commission meetings is available online. The next meeting of the Commission is scheduled for Feb. 11-12, 2026, in Sacramento. Participants are encouraged to attend in person, with options available for Zoom or phone; for more information visit the Commission website.
The Commission authorized public notice of upcoming potential regulation changes related to:
Waterfowl hunting: A discussion hearing is scheduled for Feb. 11-12 and an adoption hearing April 15-16 on proposed amendments to waterfowl hunting regulations to comply with proposed frameworks for 2026-27 hunting seasons approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Bighorn sheep hunting: A discussion hearing is scheduled for Feb. 11-12 and an adoption hearing April 15-16 on proposed regulation changes for the 2026-27 bighorn sheep hunting season.
Pronghorn antelope hunting: A discussion hearing is scheduled for Feb. 11-12 and an adoption hearing April 15-16 on recommended regulation changes for the 2026-27 pronghorn antelope hunting season.
Elk hunting: A discussion hearing is scheduled for Feb. 11-12 and an adoption hearing April 15-16 on recommended regulation changes for 2026-27 elk hunting seasons.
Black bear hunting: A discussion hearing is scheduled for Feb. 11-12 and an adoption hearing April 15-16 on proposed amendments to black bear hunting regulations.
Commercial coonstripe shrimp fishery: A discussion and adoption hearing is scheduled for Feb. 11-12 on proposed amendments to regulations governing the commercial coonstripe shrimp trap fishery.
Processing and donating sport-caught fish: A discussion and adoption hearing is scheduled for Feb. 11-12 on proposed amendments to regulations regarding processing and donating sport-caught fish.
Media Contacts:
Krysten Kellum, CDFW Communications, (916) 825-7120
Katie Talbot, CDFW Communications, (916) 204-1381