WDFW invites public to comment on maintaining endangered species listing for pinto abalone

OLYMPIA — The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is seeking public input on a draft periodic status review for the pinto abalone that includes a recommendation to keep the species on the state endangered species list. The public comment period is now open through June 1. 

“While pinto abalone recovery efforts are progressing well, the species’ population trend over the past 10 years is not increasing and key criteria for downlisting to threatened have not been met,” said Katie Sowul, WDFW’s lead abalone biologist. “For these reasons, we recommend retaining the pinto abalone’s endangered classification in Washington while continuing to promote and advance our collaborative recovery efforts.”  

The draft periodic status review for pinto abalone is available on WDFW’s website. The public may submit written comments via email or by mailing Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife ATTN: Katie Sowul, P.O. Box 43150, Olympia, WA 98504-3150. 

Following the public comment period, WDFW staff will brief the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission on the status report and recommendation. The Commission is tentatively scheduled to consider this topic in June 2025.  

Despite the recommendation to retain its endangered status, the outlook for Washington's pinto abalone is more positive than it was five years ago, when the species’ first status report was published. Last year, the abalone recovery partnership — a collaborative group of government agencies, private institutions, universities, tribes, and other stakeholders led by WDFW and Puget Sound Restoration Fund (PSRF) — released more than 12,000 captive-raised juvenile abalone to 18 recovery sites. WDFW and partners have also observed several wild juveniles for the first time in over a decade, suggesting that wild populations are reproducing on their own again.   

The pinto abalone (Haliotis kamtschatkana) is a large marine snail found in the Salish Sea and the only abalone species that exists in Washington, British Columbia, and Alaska. Pinto abalone were added to Washington’s endangered species list in 2019.  

The abalone recovery partnership has grown significantly in recent years thanks to legislative funding appropriations. In addition to WDFW and PSRF, the partnership includes Seattle Aquarium, Port Townsend Marine Science Center, Makah Tribe, Samish Indian Nation, Lummi Nation, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, University of Washington, Western Washington University, and multiple marine resource committees. 

WDFW regularly analyzes and reviews information to inform status and classification recommendations for species listed as endangered, threatened, or sensitive in Washington. More information is available on WDFW’s at-risk species webpage. 

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