The overarching goal of the proposed work is to restore black abalone populations at two locations that are key to coastwide population recovery

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration awarded the California Department of Fish & Wildlife $183,712 on January 1, 2026, under the Cooperative Research Program (CFDA 11.472) to restore black abalone populations at two key coastal locations.

The project will evaluate habitat suitability for transplanted adult black abalone and for larval settlement and juvenile growth, conducting habitat restoration where needed. CDFW will transplant black abalone from a donor population to the two restoration sites and monitor transplantation efficacy by tracking survivorship of transplanted abalone, maintaining habitat quality, and assessing whether the effort generates local recruitment success. The work directly supports Priority 3 of the updated Recovery Implementation Strategy for Black Abalone, which targets restoration of populations not currently meeting demographic recovery criteria through local population enhancement and support for natural recovery, and Priority 5, which addresses habitat protection and restoration from threats including oil spills, sedimentation, and community shifts.

The period of performance runs from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2028, with place of performance in Sacramento, California.

Restoration will be done at locations where 1) abalone numbers were historically high, 2) long-term monitoring has demonstrated little to no sign of natural recovery, and 3) population restoration would spur recovery of adjacent areas by providing a local source of larvae. This work will involve three primary tasks: 1. Evaluation of habitat to assess suitability for: (a) transplanted adult black abalone and (b) settlement of larval and subsequent growth of juvenile black abalone, and, if needed, restoration of these habitats. 2. Transplantation of black abalone from a donor population. 3. Assessment, through monitoring, of efficacy of transplantation with respect to survivorship of transplanted abalone, maintenance of quality habitat, and as an approach leading to local recruitment success. Priorities and recovery actions identified in the updated recovery implementation strategy for black abalone (haliotis cracherodii) that will be informed by this work include: priority 3: restore black abalone populations not currently meeting the demographic recovery criteria, by enhancing local populations and supporting natural recovery. RA 3.2.1. Determine the value and efficacy of habitat restoration to enhance recruitment success, and conduct habitat restoration if appropriate. RA 3.2.3. Determine the value and efficacy of translocation to establish viable populations and translocate if appropriate. Priority 5. Protect and restore black abalone habitat from threats such as oil spills, sedimentation, and community shifts that occur in the absence of black abalone. Priority 6. Develop and implement enforcement, public outreach, and education plans. RA 8.2.4. Incorporate black abalone key messaging points into existing programs.