The SeaDoc Society has been working on endangered abalone recovery in the Salish Sea for more than a decade, funding key scientific studies that created the backbone for the species recovery plan.

Despite a ban on harvest and the creation of a captive breeding program, remnant populations of pinto abalone are not reproducing in the wild and may be facing local extinction. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is seeking public comment on a proposal to list the pinto abalone (read it here) as a State Endangered Species.

For thousands of years, abalone provided food and shells for local tribes, only to be fished out by poachers and over-harvested due to poor management. Now they are functionally extinct, meaning there are so few they can’t find a mate and reproduce.

SeaDoc-funded studies provided important science on abalone genetics, habitat needs, and ideal size for releasing hatchery-reared abalone. It’s a small investment in science that has helped guarantee a scientifically-based recovery program for abalone.

Now we need your help! Please review the report and provide your comments to WDFW.

Abalone photo by Josh Bouma