CDFW Seeks Your Input for New Abalone Regulations

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is seeking stakeholder input regarding regulation options to reduce the take of abalone in 2014. CDFW conducts annual field surveys to assess abalone population status and track changes in density (the number of abalone per given area) at established survey sites. Results from recent surveys have shown downward trends in abalone numbers, particularly in Sonoma County. These trends appear to have worsened as a result of the August 2011 die-off that was related to an unusual harmful algal bloom, also known as a red tide.

Because the abalone decline has reached predetermined trigger points for taking management action, the CDFW must develop options for fishing regulations that will reduce the take of abalone, thereby reducing the risk of overfishing and improving the health of the resource. These proposed regulations will be presented to the Fish and Game Commission for consideration later this year.

Two management actions are mandated by the Abalone Recovery and Management Plan (ARMP) for consideration based on the density triggers reached: reducing the overall red abalone fishery take by 25 percent, and closing the Fort Ross area to allow for recovery at that particular site, where abundance is especially low.

CDFW is conducting an online survey to gather input from people who are interested in the abalone fishery. The ARMP is available here. For additional information, please contact Ian Taniguchi at ian.taniguchi@wildlife.ca.gov or (562) 342-7182.