Growth of the abalone Haliotis roei gray

Abstract

The growth characteristics of the abalone Haliotis roei from Western Australia are described. Abalone grow rapidly to over 40 mm in their first year. In their second year, they reach 60 mm, the minimum size that can be legally taken by amateur fishermen. They are recruited to the commercial fishery at 70 mm during their third year. The parameters of the von Bertalanffy growth model were K = 0.67 year^-1 and L_∞ = 85.2 mm; however, differences occur between intertidal and subtidal habitats, with abalone of the subtidal population achieving faster growth rates and a larger maximum size. No significant differences in growth were detected between sexes.