The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is initiating a planning process to begin development of a Red Abalone Fishery Management Plan (FMP). The planning process will further refine and implement the long term management objectives of the Abalone Recovery and Management Plan, which guides the management of the existing red abalone fishery in northern California (north of San Francisco) as well as the recovery of depleted abalone stocks in the southern half of the state.
Typically, fishery management plan development is governed by the Marine Life Management Act. However, the Abalone Recovery and Management Plan is unique in that it was created under an abalone management statute that preceded the Marine Life Management Act. CDFW plans to develop the Red Abalone FMP based on the principles adopted as part of the Marine Life Management Act.
“The Department is committed to making this process transparent, objective, and accessible to all, with the ultimate goal of completing an adaptable FMP that will continue to ensure a sustainable red abalone resource and a healthy fishery,” said Ian Taniguchi, FMP process coordinator and senior environmental scientist with CDFW’s Marine Region. Taniguchi has 22 years of experience in monitoring and managing California’s red abalone and sea urchin fisheries.
CDFW has created a Red Abalone FMP website that contains extensive information, including:
- An FMP process timeline
- Opportunities for becoming involved in the FMP process (public meetings, surveys, etc.)
- Frequently asked questions
- Locations and email addresses for sending written comments regarding the FMP
- CDFW staff contact information
Interested parties can also go to the Red Abalone FMP website and register to receive email updates on the FMP process. For further information, please visit the Red Abalone FMP website.
post by Ian Taniguchi, CDFW Senior Environmental Scientist
Marine Management News 