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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 60(10)

Restoration aquaculture of the pinto abalone (Haliotis kamtschatkana kamtschatkana Jonas): impacts of rearing method on behaviour, growth and survivorship in the hatchery

Kristina M. Straus A B and Carolyn S. Friedman A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, Box 355020, Seattle, WA 98105, USA.

B Corresponding author. Email: kmstraus@u.washington.edu

Marine and Freshwater Research 60(10) 1021-1028 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF08262
Submitted: 12 September 2008  Accepted: 13 March 2009   Published: 20 October 2009

Abstract

Pinto abalone (Haliotis kamtschatkana kamtschatkana) populations in Washington State (USA) and British Columbia (Canada) continue to decline despite fisheries closures. For successful recovery, supplementation may be necessary. To determine appropriate culture methods, juveniles were reared in habitat-enriched tanks (supplemented with rocks, macroalgae and sea urchins) or conventional aquaculture tanks and assessed for growth and survivorship in the laboratory over 15 months. No differences in survivorship or growth were observed. Subsequent experiments examined whether abalone behaviour (habitat selection and movement patterns) differed between rearing treatments. Abalone were exposed to one of three predator treatments (sea star arm, small crab, or no predator (control)) and filmed for 8 h. Abalone from habitat-enriched tanks changed habitats significantly more often than abalone from conventional tanks regardless of predator treatment. Significant differences in the percentage of time that abalone occupied the various habitats were also observed. Abalone in the sea star and control treatments primarily occupied the rocks, whereas abalone in the crab treatment behaved differently depending on the rearing method; conventionally reared abalone spent more time in corners, whereas abalone from habitat-enriched tanks spent more time exposed. These results demonstrate that rearing conditions can affect abalone behaviour and should be considered for abalone restoration efforts worldwide.

Additional keywords: enhancement, gastropod, habitat enrichment, marine mollusc, outplanting, supplementation.


Acknowledgements

The authors thank C. Jackels, J. Bouma, C. Burge, T. Ewing, D. Hauser, B. Scott, G. Jensen, J. Parrish, L. Crosson, V. Lowe, B. Nulty, B. Stevick, B. Vadapalas and L. Jones for assistance with measuring juvenile abalone and providing suggestions on previous versions of this manuscript. The authors are indebted to G. Jensen, P.S. McDonald, L. Conquest, G. Faye and B. Vadopalas for valuable suggestions on experimental design and statistical analyses. The authors also thank the anonymous referees who provided valuable suggestions to improve this manuscript. This work would not have been possible without P. Plesha of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Mukilteo Field Station and J. P. Davis of Taylor Resources Hatchery who provided experimental space and animal care. This research was funded, in part, by Washington Sea Grant Project Number NA16RG1044AM09 and Saltonstall-Kennedy Grant Number NA03NMF4270112 to C.S.F., both administered by the NOAA, USA Department of Commerce. The views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of NOAA or any of its sub-agencies. The USA government is authorised to reproduce and distribute for governmental purposes.


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