kristin aquilino: abalone have a really important economic impact on this state. they supported a lucrative commercial fishery for decades. they also supported a recreational fishery that brought about $45 million to the north coast of california until recently, and they support really sustainable aquaculture in the state. woman: the red abalone fishery was a major fishery, recreational fishery on the north coast for decades and are really critical for the culture of california for that te. we had to recommend to the fish and game commission that it be closed after several years of severe impacts to the kelp forest. lackey: it's definitely affected business, and my tours have been greatly affected for the ab diving. and they estimate that it's, you know, anywhere from $44 to $54 million out of our local economy, just from the abalone, and that really hurt. with business down, you know, considerably, less than 50%, it's almost at a break-even point for me. i'm hanging in there. i'm still doing it. the economy is on everyone. you know, the gas stations, the markets,