Once abundant California White Abalone were critically overfished in the 70’s to the point that there are not enough to make a comeback in the wild without help. UC Davis at its Bodega Bay facility has successfully spawned abalone brood stock, raised and replanted them in their still intact Southern California habitat. They know that the ultimate success will be in ramping up the system to be able to provide the critical numbers needed for sustainability. They have already proved they can do it, but they need further funds to expand spawning efforts.
Many divers in Northern and Southern California remember being able to dive and bring back a tasty feast, until it became unsustainable. You can help be the ones who bring this beautiful animal back to Southern California to enjoy in person. Internationally known wildlife artist Nick Mayer has produced two stunning pieces of White Abalone art and is donating 30% of the proceeds of the sale of prints to the Endangered White Abalone Restoration Fund at the UC Davis Bodega Marine Laboratory. Purchase either of two prints (or, if you’re like us and can’t decide which you like best, be “shell-fish” and get one of each!) to help support the White Abalone program and bring us ever closer to the restoration of this California coastal treasure.
Print 1: https://buff.ly/2DsFOVp
Print 2: https://buff.ly/331E1iW
This fund allows them to purchase critical animal care supplies during extramural funding gaps, supports transporting animals from BML to partner facilities, contributes to conference attendance and travel to partner facilities for BML technicians. Donations directly to the fund without purchasing artwork can be made here: https://give.ucdavis.edu/BOML/BMLABAL
Thank you all for being amazing members of Team White Abalone, and a huge thank you to Nick Mayer for producing these amazing works of art and to Debra Quick-Jones, whose idea connected Nick’s art to White Abalone and helped bring this opportunity to life.
