Species of the Day: Black Abalone

The Black Abalone, Haliotis cracherodii, is listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesTM. This large marine mollusc is found in rocky intertidal and subtidal habitats on the coasts of Baja California, Mexico and California, USA.

Over the last few decades, the Black Abalone has suffered a serious decline, primarily due to a disease known as withering syndrome, which has spread through a large proportion of Geographical range the population. The disease causes wasting of the foot muscle, preventing the abalone from www.iucnredlist.org properly adhering to the substrate, causing it to become discoloured, lose weight and die. Help Save Species Other threats include commercial and recreational fishing, coastal development and pollution. www.arkive.org All abalone fisheries in California are managed with seasonal closures and restrictions on catch size, while in Mexico there is a total allowable catch limit. In January 2009, the Black Abalone was finally listed under the US Endangered Species Act (ESA). Under the ESA, this species should benefit from the compulsory development of a recovery plan, protection and restoration of critical habitat, scientific research and public education.

The production of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ is made possible through the IUCN Red List Partnership: Species of the Day IUCN (including the Species Survival Commission), BirdLife is sponsored by International, Conservation International, NatureServe and Zoological Society of London.