ESTIMATING BASELINE ABUNDANCES OF ABALONE IN CALIFORNIA FOR RESTORATION

Abstract

Abalone populations in California have declined dramatically; however, reliable estimates of baseline abundances are lacking. The lack of sufficient time scales seriously limits the value of most baselines. We use historical data to define baselines for abalone in California and to evaluate current abundances and suggest restoration targets. Using the fishery as a “sampling tool,” we estimate that baseline abundances for pink abalone (Haliotis corrugata) were 9.3 million, black abalone were 3.5 million (H. cracherodii), green abalone (H. fulgens) were 1.5 million, white abalone (H. sorenseni) were 360,000, and threaded abalone (H. kamtschatkana assimilis) were