health
March 8, 2026
Sex and the sea snail: how a plucky marine lab brought a mollusk back from the brink
Once abundant in California, the white abalone had all but vanished. Now, thanks to an innovative breeding program, it’s staged a remarkable comeback
TL;DR
- The White Abalone Culture Lab is attempting to revive the endangered white abalone population.
- White abalone were once plentiful but were decimated by overfishing, leading to their endangered status.
- The lab uses artificial spawning methods, sometimes creating specific conditions to encourage reproduction.
- The program has faced uncertainty due to proposed funding cuts to NOAA but has received temporary and potential future federal funding.
- Other threats to abalone include habitat degradation, loss of kelp forests, and invasive species like purple sea urchins.
- Scientists have released over 20,000 white abalone into the ocean since the Bodega Bay lab opened in 2011.
- The species' recovery is considered hopeful, with potential for future thriving.
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