White Abalone once numbered in the millions off the California coast, but on May 29, 2001, they became the first marine invertebrate listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. We talk with Dr. Kristin Aquilino of UC Davis and Dr. Melissa Neuman of NOAA, who run a captive breeding program using Aquaculture techniques at the University of California- Davis Bodega Marine Lab. Their goal is to produce captive-bred animals that will be used to establish a self-sustaining white abalone population in the wild. Turns out, it’s not that easy!
Video about White Abalone: Delicacy of the Deep
Video overview of the Captive Breeding Program (more sciencey)
(This interview was recorded on August 22 and broadcast on Tuesday September 13, 2016.)
Ecology Hour on KZYX 