Abalone are sea snails that live off the Pacific West Coast, in the kelp forests of British Columbia, the US and Mexico. Kelp is a type of gigantic brown algae that can grow half a meter (1.5 feet) per day and create underwater jungles (US National Park Service). Abalone like to live in those forests and feed on the leathery “leaves” of kelp. 

Unfortunately, different families of this animal are endangered or even critically endangered because they suffer from diseases and an imbalance in the food web: An exploding number of Sea Urchins are eating off all the kelp since their natural predators have declined in numbers over the past decades. Additionally, a marine heatwave between 2014 and 2016 led to a rapid decline of kelp forests. 

The future of Abalone appears to be uncertain, but the people of the coast are taking steps to protect them from extinction. California has suspended the recreational fishing season for Red Abalone until 2021 and divers and scientists will continue to keep an eye on Abalone populations (National Geographic). 

Write up by Charlotte Walter

National Geographic, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/2019/08/red-abalone-closure-kelp-die-off-documentary-environment
US National Park Service, https://www.nps.gov/subjects/oceans/kelp-forests.htm