The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is seeking public input to inform the development of a red abalone fishery management plan (FMP).

A new online survey to collect public opinions on red abalone management can be accessed on the CDFW Web site at www.wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Invertebrates/Abalone/Survey .

Those wishing to complete the survey by mail instead of through the Web site can write to CDFW, Attn. Jerry Kashiwada, 32330 North Harbor Dr., Fort Bragg, CA 95437 or call 707-964-5791 to request the survey forms.

The survey will run until March 6, so interested parties should complete the survey as soon as possible.   

The red abalone FMP will build off current management of the northern California red abalone sport fishery as outlined in the Abalone Recovery and Management Plan, as well as meet requirements for fisheries management in the Marine Life Management Act.

The initial phase of FMP development included four public workshops in 2014 that identified key areas of interest.

The current online survey is based on results from the workshops and is intended to reach a broader audience and help ensure the abalone management framework developed under the FMP addresses the interests and concerns of the public.

More details about abalone management and the FMP process can be found on the CDFW Web site at www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/invertebrate/abalone.asp .