Selected Highlights
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Can the Long Lost Abalone Make a Comeback? Scientists strive to bring back the endangered sea snail
Rosanna Xia - Los Angeles Times - November 7, 2019 “Aquilino held up the abalone and looked square into its beady-eyed face.' You,' she said, 'are the future of your species.'” |
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Saving White Abalone with UC Davis Project Scientist Kristin Aquilino
UC Davis College of Biological Sciences - Greg Watry November 18, 2018 |
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Will Climate Change Ruin White Abalone's Last Chance at Survival?
Kat Kerlin - UC Davis/Washington Post - September 25, 2017 "Of all the species we’re working to save throughout the world, this is a very tangible one." |
2022
Photo by Chad Campbell, artwork by Ric DeSantiago
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Behind this locked door is the white abalone's best chance of avoiding extinction
NPR Morning Edition - Chad Campbell July 29, 2022 "If we can keep putting animals in the same site four times a year or so for five or six years, the hope is we can create those self-sustaining populations." |
Photo by Kristin Aquilino
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Researchers See ‘Future of an Entire Species’ in Ultrasound Technique
The New York Times - Wudan Yan February 28, 2022 “When I first saw the ultrasound images of my kids, I saw the future of my family. When I see the ultrasound images of these abalone, I see the future of an entire species.” |
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California's abalone population gains an unlikely ally
KCBS Radio January 17, 2022 "The enemy of the enemy is my friend." |
Photo by Elyse DeFranco
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Monterey: A good virus comes to the rescue of California’s abalone
Monterey Herald - Elyse DeFranco January 2, 2022 “This is really good news for most abalone species.” |
2021
Photo by Joe Proudman
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Bringing endangered abalone back from the brink
California Sea Grant - Elyse DeFranco November 17, 2021 “This is a really exciting time in the program, because we are outplanting animals once every few months. And as we grow, we hope that soon we might be able to have some self-sustaining populations in the ocean.” |
Photo by David Helvarg
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Photo by David Helvarg
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Abalone on the Edge: Scientists race to recover an endangered California abalone species
Sierra Magazine - David Helvarg May 10, 2021 “There are more white abalones in this room than exist in the wild, which is both terrifying and an incredible opportunity.” |
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How scientists are using a 'romantic solution' to save endangered white abalone
Reuters - Nathan Frandino May 5, 2021 "The abalone are terrible at long-distance relationships." |
Photo by Stephen Lam / The Chronicle
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Abalone diving is banned, and work goes on to restore the giant sea snail on California’s coast
San Francisco Chronicle - Tara Duggan April 15, 2021 “The cultural and economic and ecological importance of abalone can’t be overstated.” |
2020
Photo by Kent Porter / The Press Democrat
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Heat, wildfires and red skies: The week climate change seized the national spotlight
The Press Democrat - Mary Callahan September 13, 2020 |
Photo by Dominick Leskiw
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Pandemic Sets Back Abalone Restoration Effort in California
Earth Island Journal - Dominick Leskiw “This isn’t the time to let momentum slow down.” |
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Abalone: The Remarkable History and Uncertain Future of California's Iconic Shellfish Ann Vileisis (book) 2020 |
Photo by Kristin Aquilino
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Saving a species amid a pandemic: a Q&A with Kristin Aquilino
California Sea Grant - Erin Malsbury "We are the reason that this species is on the brink of extinction. I think that means that we have a responsibility to do something about that. And that is still true, even with a global pandemic." |
Photo by Rosanna Xia / Los Angeles Times
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2019
Photo by Kristin Aquilino
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Endangered white abalone released off southern California
California Sea Grant - Katherine Leitzell November 19, 2019 "Saving white abalone is a numbers game — it’s about making a lot of white abalone robust enough to withstand the transition to the ocean." |
Photo by Rosanna Xia / Los Angeles Times
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Behind the Story: Tracking abalone in the lab, by boat and under the sea
Los Angeles Times - Rosanna Xia November 7, 2019 "One day, Aquilino dreams, she’ll be able to take her children diving in an ocean filled with white abalone." |
Photo by Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times
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Can the long-lost abalone make a comeback in California?
Los Angeles Times - Rosanna Xia November 7, 2019 “Aquilino held up the abalone and looked square into its beady-eyed face.' You,' she said, 'are the future of your species.'” |
Photo by Ellen Caminiti
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In major milestone, endangered white abalone ‘graduate’
UC Davis - Ellen Caminiti September 12, 2019 “With the deepest sense of gratitude we wish you the best on your long journey home.” |
Photo by Katherine Leitzell
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Spawning Success Raises Hopes for Endangered White Abalone
California Sea Grant - Katherine Leitzell May 28, 2019 “We are learning so much about these animals, but there is still so much more to discover.” |
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Photo by Beth Schlanker/The Press Democrat
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Scientists Celebrating Breakthrough in Race to Save Endangered White Abalone at UC Davis Bodega Marine Lab
The Press Democrat - Mary Callahan April 26, 2019 "It’s monumental for this program and for the future of this species." |
Photo by Kat Magana
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Millions of White Abalone Eggs Could Save Species
Daily Democrat - Kat Kerlin April 25, 2019 "It’s amazing to have this much more genetic material added to our captive population." |
Photo by Joe Proudman/UC Davis
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Endangered White Abalone Program Yields Biggest Spawning Success Yet
UC Davis - Kat Kerlin April 25, 2019 “To have one female wild white abalone spawn over 20 million eggs is just incredible.” |
2018
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Saving White Abalone with UC Davis Project Scientist Kristin Aquilino
UC Davis College of Biological Sciences - Greg Watry November 18, 2018 |
Photo by David Slipher/UC Davis
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Discovering Curiosity: Saving the White Abalone with Kristin Aquilino
UC Davis College of Biological Sciences - Greg Watry November 7, 2018 “I can’t wait to dive down and put them out there for the first time,” she said. “It’s like sending your kids to college.” |
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Overcoming the Challenges of Studying Endangered Animals
The Scientist - Jim Daley July 1, 2018 "What’s so great about having so many partners is everyone brings something different to the table." |
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Photo by Kim Brunhuber
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Trumps Drilling Plan Could Put Animals and People in Jeopardy
Kim Brunhuber - CBC News January 28, 2018 "These new animals represent the future." |
2017
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Will Climate Change Ruin White Abalone's Last Chance at Survival?
Kat Kerlin - UC Davis/Washington Post September 25, 2017 "Of all the species we’re working to save throughout the world, this is a very tangible one." |
Photo by Kathryn Whitney
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Fighting for a Foothold
Gloria Dickie - bioGraphic September 19, 2017 "Aquilino is on a mission to make the world see these creatures as both 'cute' and vital to the ocean’s health." |
Photo by Joshua Asel
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To Save This Tasty Sea Snail, We Must First Figure Out What Turns It On
Jason Bittel - onEarth July 26, 2017 “Matchmaking at its finest!” |
Photo by Brittany Murray, Press Telegram/SCNG
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Scientists struggle to revive Southern California’s white abalone population
Sandy Mazza - Daily Breeze July 9, 2017 “Since March, we've created more than 20,000 juveniles. It’s definitely the most we’ve ever had.” |
Photo by NOAA Fisheries
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NOAA Recognizes ‘Hero’ Helping Save White Abalone From Extinction
NOAA Fisheries Spring 2017 "Strengthening the collaboration among white abalone partner institutions has been the thing I am most proud of during my time thus far with the recovery program." |
Photo by Michael Ready
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Bringing White Abalone Back from the Brink
Scientia May 12, 2017 "By replacing overhead pipes with towering kelp forests and swapping out submersible pumps for steady ocean swells, we hope our precious baby snails might save their species from extinction." |
Photo by Sammy Tillery
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Saving an Endangered Marine Species from Vanishing Forever!
Beyond the Boundary Science April 19, 2017 "Reach forward with one hand to seek the wisdom of your predecessors, and reach back with the other to facilitate those who follow you." |
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From Costa Rica to California: One study abroad alum's quest to save an endangered species
CIEE April 7, 2017 "My study abroad experience gave me a much more holistic appreciation of the earth and the way humans interact with it." |
Photo by Maggie Carson Jurow/NPR
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Delicious and Nearly Extinct, Can White Abalone Be Saved?
Lindsey Hoshaw - KQED March 17, 2017 “This is a big moment,” said Aquilino. “They will go extinct in 10 to 15 years if there’s not a program to place them back in the wild.” |
Photo by Kat Magana
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Top 5 New Year’s Resolutions for 2017 (if you’re a white abalone)
Kristin Aquilino January 4, 2017 "Wow people with the way a little effort and persistence can save your species, and encourage everyone you meet to enthusiastically proclaim, 'Save white abalone!' loudly and often." |
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Women in Aquaculture Profile: Kristin Aquilino
Kari Eckdahl and Canon Purdy January 3, 2017 "Few things bring me more joy than showing someone an abalone’s beady, black eyes for the first time and hearing an exclamation like, 'Oh! It has a face!'” |
2016
Photo by Karin Higgins/UC Davis
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Only the Lonely: Captive White Abalone Get a Wild New Addition
Kat Kerlin - UC Davis One Health Blog November 29, 2016 "Even inserting just one more individual into the mix is huge. It adds a big component to the genetic diversity we already have." |
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360 Video: UC Davis Working to Save White Abalone
November 29, 2016 Joe Proudman - UC Davis "It's going to be really exciting to see them back out in their natural habitat." |
Photo by Dave Witting/NOAA Fisheries
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Collection of white abalone boosts recovery efforts
NOAA Fisheries November 2016 "By bringing the animal in, we’re giving it the opportunity to contribute to the future of the species." |
Photo by Karin Higgins/UC Davis
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UC President tours Bodega Marine Lab and Reserve
Kathleen Wong - UC News November 14, 2016 "These are the most pampered abalone in the world." |
Photo by Sammy Tillery
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FOJBI Friday: Meet Kristin Aquilino, Snatching White Abalone Back From The Brink
Friends Of Joe's Big Idea November 11, 2016 "Few things bring me more joy than showing someone the beady, black eyes topping the mollusk's long, skinny eyestalks. They have faces! They move! Did I mention that they're adorable?!" |
Photo by Kelsey Simpkins
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Science Weekly: Saving White Abalone
Kelsey Simpkins - Uplight Blog September 25, 2016 “Aren’t they cute?” Aquilino exclaimed at the end of the tour ... “Yeah,” I laughed, grinning: “strangely and convincingly cute.” |
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Captive-breeding White Abalone
Ecology Hour on KZYX September 13, 2016 “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!” |
Photo by Robert Casillas / SCNG
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The decline and hopeful resurgence of Southern California’s abalone population
Sandy Mazza - Daily Breeze August 28, 2016 “It’s an economic, political, conservation, research and a cultural issue.” |
Photo by Mindy Schauer
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White abalone were nearly eaten out of existence in the 1970s. Now, a breeding program aims to revive them
Aaron Orlowski - OC Register May 29, 2016 "Without human help, the mollusc – nearly eaten out of existence when white abalone was a staple at seafood restaurants in the 1970s – will vanish." |
Photo by Ben Walker
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Can an endangered abalone be saved?
Don Haifley, Our Ocean Backyard - Santa Cruz Sentinel May 21, 2016 "There are seven species of abalone living along the west coast of which two, black abalone and white abalone, are listed as endangered. Scientists believe that white abalone is in the most trouble and are making a serious effort to revive its population." |
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Restoring White Abalone: from the lab to the wild
Ocean Currents, NOAA Cordell Bank - KWMR April 4, 2016 "White abalone were once prolific in southern CA waters, but over harvesting, reproductive failure and infections have diminished this species to become the first invertebrate to make the endangered species list. NOAA has been working on a restoration action plan that includes culturing individuals in aquaculture laboratories." |
Photo by Kristin Aquilino
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Workshop highlights urgency of abalone recovery efforts
NOAA Fisheries April 2016 "Scientists, aquarists, educators, industry, and resource managers convened to explore the future of abalone recover, particularly critically endangered white abalone, to guide future recovery efforts." |
Photo by Joe Rosato Jr.
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Chemicals Induce Abalone to Become ‘Broadcast Spawners’ in Bodega Bay
Joe Rosato Jr. - NBC Bay Area March 14, 2016 "In an effort to try and save the world’s diminishing population of critically endangered white abalone, a Bay Area laboratory hosted a spawning event — which in a single day potentially bred more white abalone than exist in the ocean." |
Photo by Connor Radnovich
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Keeping endangered abalone alive, 1 fertilized egg at a time
Steve Rubenstein - San Francisco Chronicle March 3, 2016 "With the fate of the entire species on the line, a female abalone named 306 got together with two male abalones in Bodega Bay the other day." |
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Species in the Spotlight: Survive to Thrive
NOAA Fisheries February 10, 2016 "Of all the species NOAA protects under the ESA, we consider eight among the most at risk of extinction in the near future. As a result, we have launched our 'Species in the Spotlight: Survive to Thrive' initiative, a concerted agency-wide effort to spotlight and save these highly at-risk species." |
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Sex in the Sea: Our Intimate Connection with Sec-Changing Fish, Romantic Lobsters, Kinky Squid, and Other Salty Erotica of the Deep
Mara J. Hardt February 9, 2016 "The significant strides made in the past four years are reason for great hope -- the first ray of light in what has been a dark history for abalone along North America's western shore." |
2015
Photo by Kristin Aquilino
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White Abalone Captive Breeding Success Continues
Kristin Aquilino - UC Davis Bodega Marine Laboratory Newsletter December 2014 "Do you want the good news or the bad news first? How about both at once? We think there are now more endangered white abalone in captivity than remain in the wild." |
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Endangered White Abalone
Thank You Ocean Report December 3, 2015 "White abalone is on the brink of extinction — but what does breeding have to do with it? [Kristin Aquilino] introduces us to the unique white abalone, their plight, and how her team is working to reverse the situation." |
Photo by Joshua Asel
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White abalone, what turns you on?
NOAA Fisheries August 10, 2015 "To save endangered white abalone, scientists are working to breed them in captivity. But first they have to figure out how to turn white abalone on." |
Photo by John Burgess/The Press Democrat
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Bodega Bay lab at forefront of effort to save rare abalone species
Mary Callahan - Santa Rosa Press Democrat February 20, 2015 "The product of a 4-year-old program that began with 18 wild white abalone plucked from the ocean depths near the Channel Islands 15 years ago, these small shellfish — from pencil-point- to almond-sized — are proof that captive breeding can work." |
Photo by Amy Quinton/Capital Public Radio
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Efforts to save endangered white abalone paying off
Amy Quinton - Capital Public Radio February 18, 2015 "In 2012, scientists at the UC-Davis Bodega Marine Laboratory successfully bred the white abalone in captivity for the first time. That year, researcher Kristin Aquilino says scientists produced 12 animals. Now they’re producing thousands." |
Photo by Kristin Aquilino
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Spawning success for white abalone
Kat Kerlin - UC Davis Egghead January 29, 2015 "Efforts to bring populations of endangered white abalone back from the brink of extinction through captive breeding appear to be working, according to scientists at the UC Davis Bodega Marine Laboratory." |
2014
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White Abalone Captive Breeding Success Continues
Kristin Aquilino - UC Davis Bodega Marine Laboratory Newsletter December 2014 "We have seen an order of magnitude increase in captive white abalone production each year since our first successful breeding in 2012." |
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Interview with Kristin Aquilino, Research Biologist with Bodega Marine Lab, Explains a New Hope for the Endangered White Abalone
Rietta Hohman - Pucci Foods Blog. January 21, 2014 "Now considered nearly extinct in the wild, biologists have used living lab specimens to spawn and create baby abalone for the first time in almost a decade." |
2013
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New hope for endangered white abalone recovery
Kristin Aquilino - UC Davis Bodega Marine Laboratory Newsletter December 2013 "Under a ceiling crisscrossed with PVC pipes, amidst the hum of seawater pumps, Bodega Marine Laboratory holds some of the most precious baby snails on the planet." |
Photo by Kristin Aquilino
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Setting the Mood for White Abalone Recovery
Kristin Aquilino - American Institute of Fishery Research Biologists Briefs Fall/Winter 2013. "As the white abalone remaining in the wild population continue to age, captive breeding and outplanting are critical for saving the species from extinction." |
Photo by Kent Porter/Press Democrat
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Bodega Bay researchers help endangered abalone breed
Sean Scully - Santa Rosa Press Democrat August 8, 2013 "The future of an iconic California animal hangs on the fate of a delicate band of survivors in a seawater aquarium in Bodega Bay." |
Photo by Amy Quinton
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Bringing Back the White Abalone
Amy Quinton - Capital Public Radio August 5, 2013 "We were ecstatic. In our care was a very small but important ray of hope for this entire species." |
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Saving White Abalone
KCBS live interview August 4, 2013 "Right now we have a few juveniles and a ray of hope in our laboratory." |
Photo by Karin Higgins/UC Davis
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Lab plays ‘Match.com’ for vanishing abalone
Kat Kerlin - Davis Enterprise. August 4, 2013 "In research that incorporates food, sex and danger, scientists at UC Davis’ Bodega Marine Laboratory recently achieved the first successful captive spawning of the endangered white abalone in nearly a decade." |
Illustration by Kelly Lance
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At a Snail’s Pace
Ryder Diaz - UCSC Science Notes August 2013 "Scientists struggle to bring white abalone back from the brink of extinction, but time is running out." |
Photo by Manny Crisostomo/Sacramento Bee
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UC Davis Bodega Bay lab plays matchmaker for endangered abalone
Sacramento Bee (no longer available online) July 28, 2013 "The lighting? It’s just right. The temperature? Perfectly set. The music? Barry White, of course. These are the seemingly perfect conditions to save a species, like the white abalone, from extinction." |
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Scientists try ‘mood lighting’ and Barry White tunes to entice abalone to reproduce
Debra Kahn - Greenwire (E&E Publishing) July 26, 2013 "A giant abalone so delectable it faces extinction could make a comeback, if researchers can get it in the mood." |
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Endangered white abalone successfully bred in North Bay lab
Wayne Freedman - ABC News 7, KGO-TV (San Francisco) July 24, 2013 "An effort is underway to save an endangered species to the south. It involves bringing the creature to the North Bay" |
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Endangered white abalone find matchmaker in UC Davis breeding program
Kat Kerlin - UC Davis News July 24, 2013 "The work may be the white abalone’s last chance at avoiding extinction." |
