| | Introduction Abalone are highly valued but slow-growing molluscs that have attracted more attention as candidates for aquacultureas wild fisheries have progressively declined in many countries (Oakes & Ponte, in Fleming & Hone 1997, pp. 187-195).The principal countries producing cultured abalone are China,Taiwan and Japan. Several other countries including Australia, Chile, Iceland, Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa, Thailand, and the United States are still developing significant abalone aquaculture industries. The world production of cultured abalone has grown rapidly to 7,165 metric tonnes (mt) in 1999 with an additional shortfall in supply of 7,000 mt projected (Fleming, in Fleming and Roberts 2000, pp.1-15). While most Australian abalone fisheries have generally been well managed compared to other countries, several states are attempting to increase production by fostering abalone culture industries and several companies have produced abalone from growout systems in Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania (90 mt in 1999, see Fleming, in Fleming and Roberts 2000, pp. 1-15). Growers rely on formulated artificial feeds, since some seaweeds used widely overseas (for example, Macrocystis spp.) have proven unsuitable for the Australian abalone species being cultured and large scale harvesting of seaweeds is usually discouraged by state governments. | |
Abalone Culture and Species
L to R: Roe's (H. roei), Brownlip (H. conicopora) and Greenlip (H. laevigata) abalone Eleven abalone species occur along the Western Australian coast with three species; Greenlip abalone ( Haliotis laevigata ), Brownlip abalone ( H. conicopora ) which is closely related to Blacklip abalone ( H. rubra ), and Staircase abalone ( H. scalaris ), considered to have the highest potential as candidates for culture (Figure 1). A hybrid abalone, Tiger abalone, has been produced that apparently combines the better features of Greenlip and Blacklip abalone. There have also been attempts to farm the Roe's abalone ( H. roei ) in Western Australia. Staircase and Roe's abalone are probably better suited to warmer culture sites between Augusta and Geraldton than Greenlip abalone, although good growth and survival rates have been achieved in indoor growout systems with this species in Perth (Freeman et al ., in Fleming and Roberts 2000, pp. 24-38). The tropical Donkey-ear abalone ( H.asinina ) is being studied in Queensland to determine its suitability for culture. This species offers a dilemma for the grower because it grows much faster, which reduces the cost of culture, but sells for a lower wholesale price than warm temperate abalone. his article is an introduction to biology, technology and development issues and complements a much more detailed summary of biological and technical knowledge relevant to the culture of abalone in Western Australia, that has been published by this Department (Freeman, 2001), and includes a more extensive reading list. Informtation courtesy of the WA Department of Fisheries |
