Northern abalone are marine snails, belonging to the same family as clams, scallops, squid and octopus. They have flat shells that are round or oval in shape, with respiratory pores along one side.
Abalone attach themselves to rocky ocean bottoms in areas that experience wave or current action.
They are found all along the coast of B.C. and may occur at depths from the intertidal to more than 100 metres. Juvenile abalone are sensitive to light and seek habitats in cracks and on the underside of rocks. As the juveniles mature, they migrate closer to preferred food sources. Adult abalone tend to congregate in kelp beds, where they feed on kelp fragments. Abalone may live to 15 years of age.