BioOne.org will be down briefly for maintenance on 17 December 2024 between 18:00-22:00 Pacific Time US. We apologize for any inconvenience.
How to translate text using browser tools
1 November 2010 Overall Status and Threats Assessment of Black Abalone (Haliotis Cracherodii Leach, 1814) Populations in California
Melissa Neuman, Brian Tissot, Glenn Vanblaricom
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

The black abalone (Haliotis cracherodii Leach, 1814) is a relatively large prosobranch gastropod mollusc ranging from approximately Point Arena in northern California to Bahia Tortugas and Isla Guadalupe, Mexico. In the United States, populations of black abalone on offshore islands, especially those of southern California, were particularly large prior to the mid 1980s. Analysis of long-term fishery-dependent and -independent data revealed that fishing pressure in combination with a lethal disease, withering syndrome, has resulted in mass mortalities of 95% or greater in black abalone populations south of Monterey County, CA. Reduction in local densities below the threshold necessary for successful fertilization (0.34/m2) has been a widespread and pervasive consequence of population reductions by withering syndrome and other factors. The most significant current and future threat that the black abalone faces is that imposed by the spread of withering syndrome, known to be enhanced by periods of ocean warming. Other factors, such as illegal take, ocean pollution, and natural predation, also pose risks to remaining populations and those that may be restored via active management in the future. Without identification, development, and implementation of effective measures to counter the population-level effects of withering syndrome, remaining black abalone populations may experience further declines.

Melissa Neuman, Brian Tissot, and Glenn Vanblaricom "Overall Status and Threats Assessment of Black Abalone (Haliotis Cracherodii Leach, 1814) Populations in California," Journal of Shellfish Research 29(3), 577-586, (1 November 2010). https://doi.org/10.2983/035.029.0305
Published: 1 November 2010
KEYWORDS
Allee effect
black abalone
depensation
endangered species
Haliotis cracherodii
long-term trends in abundance
threats assessment
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission
Back to Top