The red abalone (*Haliotis rufescens*) is the largest and one of the most prized abalone species, recognized for its reddish shell and highly valued meat. Native to the Pacific coast of North America, particularly from Oregon to Baja California, this mollusk has historically supported significant commercial and recreational fisheries. The United States, especially California, was once the world’s leading harvester of red abalone, but due to overfishing, disease, and environmental changes, commercial fishing has been closed since the 1990s, with only limited recreational harvest allowed under strict regulations. Mexico, particularly the Baja California Peninsula, remains the primary country with an active red abalone fishery, where sustainable management practices and community-based cooperatives help maintain viable populations. While other countries, such as Japan, have abalone fisheries, they focus on different species, making the U.S. and Mexico the top nations historically and currently associated with red abalone harvesting.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.