This study was designed to examine the potential use of dulse (Palmaria mollis) in the nursery production of red abalone (Haliotis rufescens). Production of abalone seed for farmers or enhancement programs is generally dependent on settlement of larvae and culture of early juveniles using diatom films on the surfaces of culture containers. The quality of these diatom films is difficult to maintain under nursery conditions and high mortalities of post-metamorphic juveniles is commonly reported by abalone culturists. We found that conditioning broodstock on a diet of dulse instead of kelp, Nereocystis leutkeana, resulted in the production eggs of significantly higher protein and lipid content and higher hatching success rates. Larvae from parents conditioned on dulse metamorphosed at significantly higher success rates than larvae from parents conditioned on kelp.  Furthermore, dulse could be successfully used instead of diatom coatings for larval settlement and growth of early juvenile abalone. Overall, we found that he use of dulse in nursery production of red abalone was an excellent alternative to the use of kelp and diatom films for conditioning broodstock and rearing early juveniles.