About Abalone

Eight species of abalone are found in California.

Haliotis rufescens: Red abalone reach 1.0 to 2.0 inches in length after a year, and begin to feed on-larger algae and kelp. Bull Kelp, Nereocystis luetkeana, and giant kelp, Macrocystis , are more important food items although other shorter growing :brown and red algae also are utilized. Growth after the first year is extremely irregular and varies according to abundance and type of food and number of abalone on a bed. Given similar conditions of food and habitat, growth generally is faster in areas that are regularly harvested. On the Point Estero beds near Morro Bay, red abalone normally will reach commercial size, 7.75 inches, in 5 to 8 years. Growth slows considerably after reaching 8.0 inches although 11.5 inch specimens have been taken.