Marine Biological Supply House for Research and Educational Institutions

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has issued a permit to the Monterey Abalone Company under Fish and Game Code Section 2081(a) to facilitate the collection of marine biological specimens for educational purposes. This authorization allows the company to act as a marine biological supply house, providing fishes, invertebrates, and algae to research centers, universities, and public aquariums across the United States. Specifically, the permit authorizes the incidental take of coho salmon and Chinook salmon during the sampling process. The project will be conducted in the marine waters of Monterey Bay through December 31, 2027. Authorized collection methods include fish traps and various hook and line techniques, such as surface, baited dropper loop, and baited shrimp fly. The project is classified as exempt under California Code of Regulations Section 15306 due to its nature as an information collection activity with minimal disturbance to endangered species. The permit was finalized and signed on August 3, 2026.