ESA Permits for Black Abalone Rescue/Relocation and Transplantation Activities

NOAA Fisheries has issued two scientific research and enhancement permits (Permit 26342 and 26606) to the University of California, Santa Cruz, under the Endangered Species Act. NOAA Fisheries requested public comment on the permit applications in May 2022; no public comments were received.

The University of California, Santa Cruz, requested a new scientific research and enhancement permit (Permit 26342) to authorize rescue and relocation of black abalone in response to emergency events that pose a risk to black abalone and their habitat. Emergency events include oil spills, landslides, debris flows, and vessel groundings. Activities include collection of black abalone, temporary captive holding, release to the wild, and monitoring. In some cases, rescued abalone may be used in spawning, culturing, and experimental outplanting studies. The purpose of the permit is to enhance the survival of endangered black abalone through rescue and relocation. The permit authorizes activities for ten years.

The University of California, Santa Cruz, also requested a new scientific research and enhancement permit (Permit 26606) to authorize the collection and transplantation of black abalone. The purpose is to evaluate transplantation as a tool for re-establishing and enhancing black abalone populations. Activities include collection of black abalone, short-term captive holding, release at restoration sites, and monitoring. The permit authorizes activities for five years.