ABALONE (Haliotis) Sandra Huynh Marine Aquaculture DISL 2012

What is abalone? Herbivorous marine gastropod Over 70 species of extant haliotid species

Abalone history in N. America Native Americans-meat, trade material, and decoration Commercial fishery in mid 19 th century Overfishing, disease, poaching, habitat destruction Fisheries shut down

Abalone history in N. America 1980s- first commercial abalone farms in California

Taxonomy Haliotis spp

Taxonomy Haliotis spp

Taxonomy

Taxonomy

Locations

Locations Japan Mexico Australia South Africa Korea New Zealand Taiwan China Chile Ireland Iceland

Locations Japan Mexico Australia South Africa Korea New Zealand Taiwan China Chile Ireland Iceland And of course, California!

Market info California: In 1998 the total amount of abalone produced was approximately 73 metric tons (mt; in-shell weight) of product valued at US$2.4 million (Ebert 2001).

Pricing High pricing in China, Japan, and Koreas In 1994, prices to fishermen in California were $ per dozen for the red abalone. “Abalone can fetch up to $20 per pound or more (Dave Ebert, pers. comm.).”

Life Cycle

Reproduction in captivity Males and females induced to spawn ◦ UV irradiated seawater ◦ Solution of hydrogen peroxide Release unfertilized eggs and sperm ◦ 6-8 million ova out of 11 million ova released become fertilized (from one female!) Fertilize, and division starts within 2 hrs

Reproduction in captivity Eggs hatched and reared through trochophore (16-20 hrs) and veliger ( hrs) larval stages All early life stages are sensitive, so UV- treated water is used. Though increased temp can increase development, rearing at 15°C decreases risk of bacterial infection in systems.

Production Methods Cage culture system ◦ Rectangular cages ◦ PVC frames covered with heavy gage plastic mesh ◦ Suspended from longline systems or floating docks

Production Methods Disadvantages: Costs for boat, motor, fuel, access time, and hydraulic wench to lift cages for feeding, maintenance, and harvest And other things we’ve discussed in class

Production Methods Land-based, flow- through tank system: ◦ Concrete or fiberglass tanks of capacity ◦ Tanks plumbed for flow-through seawater and forced air

Production Methods Disadvantages: Operate seawater pumping Aeration systems

Feeds and Feeding Natural diets: ◦ Eggs and larvae: yolk reserves ◦ Juveniles: benthic microalgae (diatoms) ◦ Adults: kelp Artificial diets: ◦ 30-50% protein: fish meal, milk by-products ◦ 30-40% carbs: seaweed ◦ 5-6% each of fat, fiber, and ash ◦ Sometimes mineral and vitamin supplements

Water Chemistry Eggs and larvae: 15°C (59°F) Juveniles: 15 to 18°C Salinity: ppt

Advantages: High densities High production 65% edible part is protein Other nutrients: Selenium, magnesium, iron, and omega-3 fats

Disadvantages: In both production systems, it takes 3-4 years for abalone to grow to market size, about 7-9 cm. Growing to market size is the most capital intensive and time-consuming part of this aquaculture Labor and feed costs A lot of the animal is shell

Sustainability _SeafoodWatch_AbaloneFarmedReport.pdf

Nom nom nom

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Finally, if anyone finds this… brush.com/images/OPI%20%20Nail%2 0polish/OPI%20%20Nail%20polish%20 (76).jpg I will love you forever.

References “California Abalone Aquaculture” “Seafood Watch: Cultured Abalone” ontent/media/MBA_SeafoodWatch_AbaloneFarmedReport.p df “World abalone supply, markets, and pricing” “Training Manual on Artificial Breeding of Abalone in Korea DPR” “Abalone Farming” abalone.html

Picture sources Abalone background picture content/uploads/2011/09/a1.jpg “Abalone’s luster grows” lone-s-luster-grows-Eco-friendly- aquaculture php#photo