rnewkirk91's Identifications

We were completely surprised to find this individual here, not just because it was not in a crevice, but because the species has been virtually absent from the Southern California Bight following steep population declines due to overfishing and then Withering Foot Syndrome in the 1990s. Black abalone are federally listed as endangered, and without any neighbors, this individual's chances of reproduction are nil (as broadcast spawners with separate sexes, individuals need to be in close proximity for fertilization to occur).