Fishermen in Baja California Sur received welcome news as the CONAPESCA (National Aquaculture and Fisheries Commission) announced the opening of the season for five species of abalone. The season commenced at 00:00 hours on February 1st and will continue until 24:00 hours on August 31, 2025.
Abalone is considered a culinary gem in the region, often featuring as a prized dish on seafood menus. For those adventurous enough, catching your own abalone is an option, though it involves hand-diving in often perilous conditions.
While abalone fishing is not entirely illegal, it is heavily regulated in many regions due to the risk of overfishing. This slow-growing marine snail commands a high market price, which unfortunately also drives poaching activities. Over-harvesting not only threatens abalone with extinction but also disrupts marine ecosystems, particularly kelp forests where they play a crucial ecological role.
Fishermen target abalone by free-diving to the ocean floor, locating them on rocks, and prying them off with a specialized tool known as an “abalone iron.” This flat, chisel-like blade is essential for sustainable harvesting, which is strictly regulated through size and bag limits to prevent overfishing.
These conservation measures are informed by technical opinions and studies conducted by the Mexican Institute for Research in Fisheries and Aquaculture (IMIPAS), aimed at promoting responsible use of aquatic resources.
Additionally, the season for Flathead gray mullet also opened and will run until midnight on November 30, 2025.
