Action timeline

August 1, 2013 – The Center for Biological Diversity filed a formal petition to protect pinto abalone under the Endangered Species Act.

November 18, 2013 – In response to scientific petitions filed by the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Center in summer 2013, the federal government announced Friday that pinto abalone may need protection under the Endangered Species Act. The 6-inch-long marine snails have declined by between 80 percent and 99 percent throughout much of their range, primarily as a result of rampant overfishing.

Photo by ADFG