Dive Sites:

• not listed

Pinto Abalone are listed as an endangered species in Washington State. Feeding on kelp and diatoms, they find refuge in rocky kelp beds. The tentacles, which help the Pinto Abalone detect food and predators, surrounding the foot appear to be a yellow to brown color. Since male and female Pinto Abalone both spawn into the water column, they need to be close in proximity for successful fertilization. Due to many factors including overfishing and illegal harvest, populations have declined significantly in Washington waters. While they are occasionally seen by the keen-eyed diver, a listing of dives sites where they can be found will not appear on this website in hopes to keep poachers away.