California Fish and Wildlife's abalone survey available through Sunday

A few days remain for abalone hunters to add their voices to a California Fish and Wildlife survey that will be used to help shape future management of the recreational abalone fishery.

The brief questionnaire includes an opportunity for participants to identify priorities and willingness to make trade-offs to keep the fishery healthy such as accepting larger minimum sizes in exchange for longer seasons.

The survey is open through Sunday and available at wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Marine/Invertebrates/Abalone/Survey.

It’s the second time the wildlife agency has canvassed the public on issues related to the popular sport.

The decline of the kelp forest and surge in purple urchin populations have caused high rates of starvation and mortality among red abalone in recent years, prompting wildlife officials to significantly curtail the harvest this year.

The season normally runs April 1 to June 30 and Aug. 1 to Nov. 30, so Monday’s season opening is a month later than usual. The season also will close a month early.

- Mary Callahan