Use of anaesthetic to standardize efficiency in sampling abalone populations (Genus Haliotis; Mollusca : Gastropoda)

Abstract

A technique based on the treatment of rocks removed from the seafloor, with either diethyl carbonate or ethanol in seawater is described for sampling populations of abalone. The results obtained using this technique are compared with those obtained using in situ underwater sampling techniques. The new technique, which is independent of sampling experience, was more effective in sampling animals between 4 and 20 mm in length and provides a quantitative method for sampling abalone populations.