[Previous entry: "SJI Chamber of Commerce Open House"] [Next entry: "Roche Harbor Claims Another One"]

10/12/2005: "Learn About The Pinto Abalone"

(Paul Sim photo)

Friends of the San Juans Endangered Marine Species & Habitats Lecture Series continues with presentations about Pinto Abalone. Lectures will be on Wednesday October 12 at the Grange in Friday Harbor and Thursday October 13 at the Orcas Senior Center in Eastsound. Lectures begin at 7:00 pm and are free and open to the public.

The pinto (or northern) abalone is the smallest of the abalones. It occurs on shallow rocky substrate and feeds on algae. Very low population numbers have resulted in the pinto abalone's listing as a ‘species of concern' under federal, state and Canadian endangered species provisions.

San Juan County provides significant nearshore rocky habitat to the pinto abalone. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has ten research stations in the San Juan Islands which they have surveyed regularly for the past 13 years using divers. WDFW abalone expert Don Rothaus will provide an overview of abalone biology, the possible causes for population declines and the results of San Juan County research. He will also outline future research and recovery strategies for pinto abalone populations in Washington State.

Presenter Don Rothaus has been a biologist for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife for 17 years. The major emphasis of his current work is abalone. He also participates in research and management projects for geoducks, sea urchins and sea cucumbers and is the Diving Safety Officer for WDFW.