State seeks public comment on draft recovery plan for pinto abalone

OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is seeking public comment on a draft recovery plan for pinto abalone, a large species of sea snail listed as endangered in Washington in 2019.

WDFW prepares recovery plans to guide conservation and recovery efforts of protected species in the state. 

The pinto abalone is the only abalone species found in Washington and serves an essential role in kelp forest environments as a grazer, “cleaning” subtidal rock surfaces and allowing new kelp to settle. Their flavorful meat and colorful shells historically made them a highly sought-after shellfish. In 1994, due to concerns of over-harvest, the once-popular recreational dive fishery for the species was closed, and all harvest remains closed to protect the remaining population and support recovery.  

Despite the closure, the San Juan Island population of pinto abalone fell by an estimated 97 percent through 2017, leading to the State Endangered Species Act endangered listing in 2019. It is likely that the low density of remaining abalone led to reproductive failure, meaning that populations are unlikely to recover without active restoration.

The draft recovery plan, developed jointly by WDFW, the Puget Sound Restoration Fund, and the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, outlines steps to guide recovery of this unique species, including recovery goals and population targets, said Katie Sowul, WDFW abalone biologist.

“The drastic declines in population density of these abalone have put the species at risk of statewide extinction, and this plan offers a roadmap to recovery,” Sowul said.

WDFW and partners such as the Puget Sound Restoration Fund have worked on active restoration of pinto abalone since 2002, including development of an abalone hatchery used to plant juvenile abalone in locations around the state to supplement wild recovery.

The recovery plan is available at https://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/02284. The public can provide comment on the plan at https://publicinput.com/PintoAbalone. The comment period is open until Jan. 6, 2022.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife works to preserve, protect, and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish, wildlife, and recreational and commercial opportunities.