December 21, 2006 – The Center petitioned the National Marine Fisheries Service to list the black abalone as an endangered species.
April 13, 2007 – In response to the Center's petition, the Fisheries Service released its 90-day finding on the proposal to list the black abalone as endangered.
January 11, 2008 – The Fisheries Service proposed to list the black abalone as a federally endangered species.
January 13, 2009 – The Fisheries Service declared the black abalone endangered under the Endangered Species Act.
January 14, 2010 – The Center filed an official notice of intent to sue the National Marine Fisheries Service for its failure to designate critical habitat for the black abalone.
March 23, 2010 – The Center sued the Obama administration for failing to designate critical habitat for the endangered black abalone.
May 6, 2010 – A court-ordered settlement required the federal government to protect habitat for the endangered black abalone.
September 28, 2010 – The National Marine Fisheries Service proposed to protect 150 square miles of critical habitat for the black abalone.
October 26, 2011 – The Fisheries Service announced protection of 140 square miles (89,600 acres) of rocky California shoreline for the black abalone.
