Social and Environmental Issues Surrounding the Red Abalone Fishery Closure in 2018

Urchin barren seen in Fort Bragg, CA in 2021 while the Beyond the Shell film crew (Alexandria Firenzi, Stacey Jones, and Dan Bruns) acquired B-roll for the film.

Sea urchins play a vital ecological role in the coastal ecosystems along California’s Coastline by regulating the “seagrass” and “reef populations” as well as providing a resource for higher predators (Gauitán-Espitia et al. 2016; para. 2). When things are in balance the kelp forests and the purple sea urchins both thrive, but unfortunately this is no longer the case along the California Coast, especially in Mendocino County. This shift from bull kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana) to purple sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus) has led to urchin barrens (see above image for reference) , where the urchins eat everything around them decimating the available resources. This barren environment is not conducive to kelp growth nor the health of the abalone populations. This has led to a large loss of kelp, “more than 95 percent of the offshore kelp canopy in Sonoma and Mendocino Counties has been lost since 2013” (Esgro 2020; para. 3). Part of the problem is the obstacles the kelp face in their attempts to grow back, as any attempt made at regrowth is negated by the urchins who are constantly hunting for their next source of food. A cascading effect following the imbalance of kelp and urchin populations is the collapse of the red abalone (Haliotis rufescens). Red abalone eventually became diseased due to the unsustainable environment.  

The eventual collapse in the abalone population is partly a result of the environmental factors discussed above, but also the result of recreational divers and poachers. A popular sport in Mendocino County, in past decades, has been freediving for these red abalone. The abalone is both a trophy and a wonderful addition to a seafood lovers' culinary repertoire. Once caught these sea snails are not up for commercial sale making it a very personal endeavor. This sport brings communities of people together from across the country for one to two weeks a year every summer, where stories, catch-of-the-day, music and other friendly encounters are shared. This vibrant culture is all a result of the red abalone, which the fishing season has been closed for since the 2018 season by unanimous vote on December 7, 2017 (California Department of Fish and Wildlife; para. 1).  

The close of this season was important to allow for the abalone population to bounce back, but in turn this endangered the local business commerce, coastal communities and the cultural heritage of local Tribes. For Subsurface Progression, a local dive shop in Mendocino County that has been open since 1977, this prolonged end to abalone diving meant closing their shop after 42 years in 2020. For the native Tribes in the area,  who look to abalone diving as more than mere sport, there is a rich history surrounding the red abalone that is being threatened. This history encompasses cultural practices, subsistence patterns, spiritual practices and even stories of how the red abalone came to be. It was stated in the “Summary of the Management Strategy Integration Process for the North Coast Recreational Red Abalone Fishery” report from Fish and Games website that there is a difference between “subsistence take” and “recreational take” of abalone and as such leaves room for the continued open fishing among Tribes and Tribal communities (Jackson et al. 2020; 49). This aside, in meetings with Fish and Game representatives of Tribes and Tribal communities indicated that even still they “did not feel their priorities, spiritual philosophies, or knowledge of red abalone and the ecosystem were being considered during the development of the management strategy” (Jackson et al. 2020; 49). This is a huge issue that is a threat to their culture and should be equally acknowledged along with environmental and economic issues at hand. Such acknowledgement is especially important if the environment is ever to be restored to full health, as their knowledge of the natural balance amongst resources in the local ecosystem is necessary in creating a plan for a sustainable coastal system for future generations to enjoy.  

**For more information check out our “About” page and watch our film Beyond the Shell which was produced and directed by Alexandria Firenzi the creator of The Beyond the Shell Project and The Abalone Shell Collective.

References 

Esgro, Mike. “California Launches Kelp Forest Restoration Project in Mendocino County.” California Natural Resources Agency, State of California, 4 Aug. 2020.  

Gaitán-Espitia, J., Sánchez, R., Bruning, P., Cárdenasa, L. “Functional Insights into the Testis Transcriptome of the Edible Sea Urchin Loxechinus Albus.” Scientific Reports. vol. 6, no. 1, 2016.  

Jackson, A., Berube, P., Taniguchi, I., Likins, J., Silva, J., Pope, E., and S. Mastrup. “Summary of the Management Strategy Integration Process for the North Coast Recreational Red Abalone Fishery.” Administrative Team Report to the California Fish and Game Commission. 2020. 

California Department of Fish and Wildlife. “California Recreational Abalone Fishery to Be Closed in 2018.” CDFW News.  8 Dec. 2017.   

Tallman, Blake. “Subsurface Progression – the Coast's Only Dive Shop – Is Closing Its Doors.”  Fort Bragg Advocate-News. 5 Dec. 2019.