The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is beginning the process of developing a red abalone (Haliotis rufescens) Fishery Management Plan (FMP).

The purpose of developing an FMP for the California red abalone fishery is to further refine and implement the long term management objectives outlined in the Abalone Recovery and Management Plan and meet the tenents of the Marine Life Management Act.

The initial phase of the FMP will be focused on the Northern California sport fishery and will begin with the four public workshops detailed below:

– Thursday, Sept.  18, 7 to 9 p.m., CDFW Fisheries Branch, 830 S St., Sacramento.
– Friday, Sept. 19, 7 to 9 p.m., Russian Gulch State Park Recreation Hall, 12301 North Highway 1, Mendocino.
– Wednesday, Oct. 1, 5 to 7 p.m., Central Santa Rosa Library, Central Forum Room, 211 E St., Santa Rosa.
– Thursday, Oct. 2, 7 to 9 p.m., Marin Rod and Gun Club, 2675 East Francisco Blvd., San Rafael.

The success of this FMP process largely depends on the continued involvement of the recreational abalone fishing community as well as the general public.

For more information on participation in this process and to view the workshop agenda, please visit www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/redabalonefmp/ .