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Abalone: The Remarkable History and Uncertain Future of California's Iconic Shellfish
From rocky coves at Mendocino and Monterey to San Diego’s reefs, abalone have held a cherished place in California culture for millennia. Prized for iridescent shells and delectable meat, these unique shellfish inspired indigenous artisans, bohemian writers, California cuisine, and the popular sport of skin diving, but also became a highly coveted commercial commodity. Mistakenly regarded as an inexhaustible seafood, abalone ultimately became vulnerable to overfishing and early impacts of climate change.
As the first and only comprehensive history of these once abundant but now tragically imperiled shellfish, Abalone guides the reader through eras of discovery, exploitation, scientific inquiry, fierce disputes between sport and commercial divers, near-extinction, and determined recovery efforts. Combining rich cultural and culinary history with hard-minded marine science, grassroots activism, and gritty politics, Ann Vileisis chronicles the plight of California’s abalone species and the growing biological awareness that has become crucial to conserve these rare animals into the future.
Abalone reveals the challenges of reckoning with past misunderstandings, emerging science, and political intransigence, while underscoring the vulnerability of wild animals to human appetites and environmental change. An important contribution to the emerging field of marine environmental history, this is a must-read for scientists, conservationists, environmental historians, and all who remember abalone fondly.
As the first and only comprehensive history of these once abundant but now tragically imperiled shellfish, Abalone guides the reader through eras of discovery, exploitation, scientific inquiry, fierce disputes between sport and commercial divers, near-extinction, and determined recovery efforts. Combining rich cultural and culinary history with hard-minded marine science, grassroots activism, and gritty politics, Ann Vileisis chronicles the plight of California’s abalone species and the growing biological awareness that has become crucial to conserve these rare animals into the future.
Abalone reveals the challenges of reckoning with past misunderstandings, emerging science, and political intransigence, while underscoring the vulnerability of wild animals to human appetites and environmental change. An important contribution to the emerging field of marine environmental history, this is a must-read for scientists, conservationists, environmental historians, and all who remember abalone fondly.
- GenresScienceNonfictionHistory
296 pages, Paperback
Published May 1, 2020
14 people are currently reading
115 people want to read
About the author
Ann Vileisis
4 books6 followersAnn Vileisis is the award-winning author of three books that explore culture and nature through history. Intrigued by interconnections between food and ecology, she is particularly drawn to history that illuminates issues we face today.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 12, 2025
Extremely legislative historical content. Brought me right back to my fisheries management class. Well written + researched but I wish it was more biology focused. Cemented my love for these AMAZING animals
August 3, 2020
Just finished Abalone, an engaging and important history of how we have tried to manage the populations of various abalone species of our California coast. This book is engaging and readable and important for all of us trying to understand where our coastal ecosystems are now and why.
January 10, 2022
Such a thorough and well written book on the plight of abalone in California. Vileisis is such a great story teller and reading this has really helped as I set out to make a podcast about black abalone!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews