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Species Directory

Green Abalone

Overview Management Resources

Green Abalone

Haliotis fulgens

Quick Facts

Lifespan
30 Years or more
Length
2.4 to 5 Inches
Threats
Fishing, Disease, Illegal harvest, Elevated water temperatures
Region
West Coast
Green Abalone under water at the Little Harbor.

About The Species

Green abalone are marine snails with one shell and a strong, muscular “foot” that they use to move and to grip onto hard surfaces. Green abalone range from Point Conception, California, to Bahia de Magdalena, Mexico. They live in shallow water on open or exposed coast from the low intertidal to at least 30 feet and perhaps as deep as 60 feet. They are found in rock crevices, under rocks, and other cryptic spaces.

The oval-shaped shell protects the abalone from predators. The shell is usually brown and marked with many low, flat-topped ribs which run parallel to the 5 to 7 open respiratory pores that are elevated above the shell’s surface. The inside of the shell is an iridescent blue and green. The epipodium is a “ruffle” of tissue along the side of the foot. The cephalic (head) and epipodial tentacles are olive green, but the epipodial fringes are a mottled cream and brown, with tubercles scattered on the surface and a frilly edge (California Department of Fish and Game 1986).

Green abalone have separate sexes and spawn from early summer through early fall. They reach maturity at 2.4 to 5 inches in length or 5 to 7 years, and can live to 30 years or more. Being herbivores, they feed mostly on drift algae and prefer fleshy red algae.

Threats

Demographic and Genetic Diversity Concerns

Population size has declined in many areas. In California, commercial landings peaked in the early 1970’s and have since declined precipitously. Reduced numbers make the species vulnerable to local extinction due to a phenomenon known as the Allee effect (Allee et al. 1949). The Allee effect describes a situation whereby a decrease in population size leads to decreases in reproduction and survival of individuals. In the case of green abalone, this effect is likely due to increased distance between males and females as the population density decreases, leading to reproductive failure.

Factors for Decline

The primary factors contributing to the decline of green abalone are overharvest, suspected illegal harvest, and trade. Other factors include disease (withering syndrome) and elevated water temperatures (e.g., due to El Niño, warm water events). 

In California, green abalone were targeted after the collapse of the pink abalone fishery in 1970. Landings of green abalone peaked in 1971 (> 494 metric tons). By 1990, the landings had declined to 6% of the average in 1968-1972. In 1996, the California Department of Fish and Game (now California Department of Fish and Wildlife) closed the commercial and recreational abalone fisheries in southern California, but populations continued to decline. 

Information regarding the status of green abalone in Mexico is scant. Aquaculture programs have been developed to artificially enhance populations. A commercial fishery for green abalone continues to operate in Mexico and is managed by local cooperatives.

References

  • Allee, W.C., A.E. Emerson, O. Park, T. Park, and K.P. Schmidt. 1949. Principles of Animal Ecology. Saunders, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
  • California Department of Fish and Game. 1986. California Abalone, Marine resources Leaflet No. 11, Marine Resources Division, Long Beach, California, USA.
  • California Department of Fish and Game. 2005. Abalone recovery and management plan.

Related Species

Black abalone illustration

Black Abalone

White abalone illustration

White Abalone

Coral Placeholder Image

Pinto Abalone

Coral Placeholder Image

Pink Abalone

Recreational Fishing Regulations

Commercial Fishing Regulations

Subsistence Fishing Regulations

Management Overview

Existing protections for green abalone include a system of California Marine Protected Areas, commercial and recreational fishery closures, and an Abalone Recovery Management Plan that was adopted in 2005. 

In 2009, NOAA Fisheries partnered with the Redondo SEA Lab to develop broodstock conditioning and captive propagation and rearing methods for green abalone. In 2011, this work expanded with a partnership between NOAA Fisheries, NOAA Restoration Center, and several organizations throughout southern California. Together, we examined the genetic structure of green abalone populations along the southern California coast and developed in-situ disease screening techniques. 

Since 2013, NOAA Fisheries has partnered with The Bay Foundation to continue green abalone restoration efforts. Together, we continue to develop propagation techniques for green abalone and outplanting methods for larval and juvenile abalone. This work will contribute to the long-term goal to restore green abalone populations throughout the southern California coast, as well as inform restoration efforts for the endangered white abalone.

Spawning, measuring, and swabbing for disease screening are all part of a broodstock and propagation program with NOAA Fisheries and their many partners.

Green abalone at the larval stage.

Green abalone at the larval stage. (Photo: courtesy of Rowena Valderrama, SEA Lab and Jonathan Williams, Vantuna Research Group)

Juvenile green abalone being measured.

Juvenile green abalone being measured. (Photo: courtesy of Rowena Valderrama, SEA Lab and Jonathan Williams, Vantuna Research Group)

Adult green abalone being swabbed for disease screening.

Adult green abalone being swabbed for disease screening. (Photo: courtesy of Rowena Valderrama, SEA Lab and Jonathan Williams, Vantuna Research Group)

Abalone Workshop

In September 2009, NOAA Fisheries held a joint workshop for abalone on the U.S. West Coast. The workshop focused on the three abalone species: green abalone, pink abalone, and pinto abalone. The purposes of this workshop were to bring together current and potential partners to: 

  • Build partnerships
  • Gather information about the species’ status, threats, and research and conservation needs
  • Identify research and conservation actions to address threats to the species

The workshop discussions and outcomes are summarized in the Abalone Workshop Report.

For more information about green abalone, please contact:

  • Melissa Neuman at Melissa.Neuman@noaa.gov or 562-980-4115
  • Susan Wang at Susan.Wang@noaa.gov or 562-980-4199

Resources & Partners

  • The Bay Foundation
  • California  Department of Fish and Wildlife
  • Orange County Coastkeeper
  • Redondo Beach Sea Lab
  • Vantuna Research Group at Occidental College
  • Get Inspired

More Information

  • Protecting Marine Life on the West Coast
  • Abalone Species on the West Coast

Science Overview

Research

Abalone Research in the Southwest

This research focuses on our local abalone species to develop methods to support and expand commercial aquaculture in the region as well as aid in restoration programs for federally endangered black and white abalone.

West Coast

Genetics, Physiology and Aquaculture in the Pacific

The Genetics, Physiology, and Aquaculture Program conducts research across multiple focal areas and species including groundfish, coastal pelagic species, highly migratory species, and occasionally shellfish. It includes researchers with expertise in…

West Coast
More Research
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