Emerging Issues: Pinto Abalone
Biology
Abalone are marine snails (class: Gastropoda, phylum: mollusca). Their pearlescent oval shell and large muscular foot provide protection against their natural predators. However, it’s these same two abalone characteristics that have driven the worldwide demand for abalone. The large foot of the abalone is considered a delicacy and the mother-of-pearl lining of the shell is prized by artisans. As a result of this demand, most species on the planet are in serious decline; some face extinction.
The Status and decline of pinto abalone in Washington State
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) regularly monitors the abundance of pinto abalone (Haliotis kamtschatkana kamtschatkana) at index stations throughout the San Juan Archipelago (SJA) and between 1992 and 2006, the abundance of these charismatic invertebrates has declined by 77% at these index stations. Furthermore, the average shell length of the surviving animals has increased. This suggests that not only are fewer abalone surviving, but fewer of the survivors are the young abalone that will be necessary to perpetuate future generations of pinto abalone.
Please visit www.pintoabalone.org for more information about abalone biology, declines and restoration efforts in Washington and Canada.
For more information on Pinto Abalone in Washington state, please contact:
Don Rothaus
WDFW Abalone Biologist
(425) 379-2315
rothadpr@dfw.wa.gov
Pinto Abalone links
Pinto Abalone fact sheet (pdf)
Online slide show
Click here to download a printable poster on Pinto Abalone (2.4mb pdf)
News release re: the status of pinto abalone in Washington State
National Marine Fisheries Service flyer about pinto abalone status
Friedman lab (University of Washington)
Puget Sound Restoration Fund
Canada Department of Fish and Oceans (they call them 'northern' abalone)
Canada Department of Fish and Oceans - abalone video clips