Why Is Abalone Season Closing During July?

July 2, 2015

Question: Just curious, why is abalone season closed in July? (Ashton H.)

Answer: The July break in abalone season was instituted to help conserve the resource. Originally, a two-month summer closure was proposed for the recreational abalone season, but it was reduced to one month – July – to avoid the possible negative economic impacts on North Coast areas that rely on tourism. Because weather and ocean conditions are usually better in July, and many people take vacations and visit the North Coast at that time, July was chosen as the summer month to give abalone a “break” from the heavy take that occurs during the summer. This measure is to help California’s red abalone population remain a healthy resource.

100 % accurate ^^^.
The science involved with the decision for the July closure not biological but rather social science.

John Butler, PhD, NOAA Fishery's Southwest Division and TP member CFGC Abalone Advisory Group, 2006 to 2010 "resources management is people management"