The poor condition of red abalone populations led the California Fish and Game Commission to close the fishery in 2018. California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) surveys in 2018 found lower densities of abalone and numerous fresh empty shells which indicated continued high mortality. The Commission extended the closure until 2021 at their December 2018 meeting. Subsequent surveys found red abalone populations remained in poor condition and the closure was extended to 2026 at the December 2020 Commission meeting.