Abalone

Andrew ClarkeDISL 2013

• Abalone are marine invertebrates in the phylum Mollusca, class Gastropoda.• Abalone are members of the family Haliotidae, in which there is only one

genus Haliotis.• The number of species of abalone is speculative, and estimates are 58 to 74

species.• Abalone inhabit the cool , coastal waters of the Eastern Atlantic ocean, the

Northeast Pacific ocean, the Northwest Pacific ocean, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Australia, and Tasmania.

• The shell of abalones are oval, round, and shaped like an ear; hence the name ear shells and sea ears.

• Abalone live in the rocky sub-littoral region near coast areas. • Abalone shells can have 4 to 10 hole along the anterior margin of the shell. • The life cycle of an abalone is 7 to 9 years, and when fully grown, they can

weigh up to 14 pounds.

• Abalone are spawn breeders, and depending on the species, 5 - 10 million eggs can be released at once.

• During the daytime, abalone spend their time hiding in crevices . • The nocturnal abalone comes out at night and feeds on algae and kelp.

Anatomy of an abalone

• The life cycle of an abalone.

• The foot muscle is the edible part on an abalone.• Abalone is consumed throughout its distribution, and there are numerous

way to prepare the meat.

Abalone and Prawn dish

Abalone and Sea Cucumber

Braised Abalone

Grilled Abalone and Scallops

Chicken and Abalone soup

Abalone and Chinese greens

Greens Abalone and Mushrooms

• The abalone’s shell has a thin layer of nacre inside that is iridescent. The colors come from the diet that abalones are feeding on .

• The abalone shell-known as mother of pearl- is not thrown away. • Jewelry has been crafted from abalone shells by my different cultures:

Russian abalone sp.

Abalone Bracelet

Abalone and Green Sea glass earrings

Abalone Bracelet

Sterling Silver and Abalone earrings

Abalone pendant

Sterling Silver and Abalone Stingray

Abalone Necklace

• Most of the abalone consumed globally is raised by aquaculture.• About 85,ooo metric tonnes of abalone are cultured globally.• China cultures the majority of abalone on the planet.• Taiwan, Korea, and Japan are major producers of abalone .• Abalone are also grown in Australia, New Zealand, and California.• Abalone market prices are $5.00 - $10.00 a kilogram.

• An abalone’s diet consist of brown algae: Giant kelp, Bull kelp, Feather Boa kelp, and Elk kelp.

• Because of the nutritional demands of abalones, cultivating abalone can be difficult.• Farm raised abalone don’t forage as much as wild abalone, so nutrition demands are

crucial to growth and development.• Modern food formulation methods used by companies such as Fishtech are improving

the food conversion rates for cultured abalone.• Abalone grow best in cooler (2-30° C), clean, nutrient rich water.• When all of the conditions at an abalone are met, cultured abalone productivity can

be very productive.

Advantages of Growing Abalone• Abalone are filter feeders and herbivores.• Once they grow to a certain size, predation become less a factor. • Abalone is consumed globally, so find a market is not difficult.• The shells can be sold to jewelry makers.• Abalone can be prepared in a variety of dishes, and they are very

palatable.

Disadvantages of Growing Abalone• Because their diet is composed of kelp, abalone have special nutritional

requirements.• Abalone need cooler water than most farm raised organisms.• Abalone growth rate is very slow.• In the United States, wild stock harvesting can only be done without the aid

scuba equipment.• Most species of abalone are endangered.• In America, only one species of abalone can be cultivated for consumption:

Red Abalone

References1. www.Fishtech.com2. www.wikipedia.com