# Travel >> Destinations >> South Pacific

Abalone Species of the Channel Islands: Six Species, Two Endangered

Six Species in Channel Islands National Park & Sanctuary

The waters around California's Channel Islands host six abalone species, all in the genus Haliotis:

Common Name	Scientific Name	Status / Notes
Red Abalone	Haliotis rufescens	Largest (to 12 in/30 cm); commercial/recreational fishery (strictly regulated, divers only); intertidal to 18 m
Green Abalone	Haliotis fulgens	Most widespread; intertidal/kelp forests; to 8 in; green-olive shell with colorful highlights
Pink Abalone	Haliotis corrugata	More common at islands than mainland; 5–25 m depth; pink-purple shell; to 10 in
Black Abalone	Haliotis cracherodii	Endangered (ESA); intertidal; >99% decline from withering syndrome (since 1980s); restoration ongoing
White Abalone	Haliotis sorenseni	Endangered (ESA); rarest; deep water (>45 m); white/cream shell; to 8 in; captive breeding critical
Flat (Pinto) Abalone	Haliotis walallensis	Intertidal/shallow subtidal; flat oval shell (green-brown-red-yellow); to 4 in; northern range limit at islands

Conservation Crisis

Withering syndrome (rickettsial disease) devastated black and white abalone
Overfishing (pre-1997) collapsed populations
Poaching persists despite closures
Climate change: Warm events (El Niño, "Blob") exacerbate disease

Recovery Efforts

Captive breeding (NOAA, CDFW, UC Davis, Aquarium of the Pacific)
Outplanting juveniles to historic habitats
Artificial reef modules for settlement
Genetic management to preserve diversity
Public education, enforcement

Red abalone remains the only fishable species (north of San Francisco, breath-hold only). All others: zero take. Channel Islands are critical refugia and restoration sites.

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South Pacific