[Previous entry: "Chaplain O'Mara killed In Accident On SJI"] [Next entry: "MedVac Flights May Resume"]

01/17/2006: "Learn About The Pinto Abalone"

(Paul Sim photo)

Friends of the San Juans Endangered Marine Species & Habitats Lecture Series continues with a presentation about the Pinto Abalone. The lecture will be on Thursday January 19 at the Grange in Friday Harbor. The lecture will begin at 7:00 pm and is 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. This lecture was originally scheduled for October and was cancelled due to a medical emergency.