Abalone Marine Biology 115 Ken San Juan

Abstract Anatomy Conservation Efforts Threat of Extinction

Abalone, a sea snail, belongs to the phylum Mollusca Abalone belong to the phylum Mollusca. They are in the family Due to the poaching, disease, low densities two species The trending delicacy that is abalone, called “white specifically a gastropod. It is a flattened sea snail that reside Haliotidae and the genus Haliotis, which comes from the shape of of abalone found in California are in danger. The abalone gold”, can cost up to $420 a kilogram in the South African long coastal waters across the world. There are over 80 their shells. (https://www.marinebio.net 2018) Abalone have very species that is most endangered of extinction are the white black market and up to three times more in Asia. Along species of abalone and 8 species can be found along the unique shells. They are covered by a single flatted shell that covers and black abalone. In June 28, 2001, the white abalone was South Africa’s coastline abalone are being caught, sold for coast of California. This herbivore feeds on different types of the body and organs of the abalone. The shell is convex and has a listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act of cash or exchanged for drugs in the black market. This kelp throughout California’s coast. Its flattened shell has a spiral on its outside. The spiral starts at the apex and spreads 2001, being the first invertebrate listed. heavily contributes to South Africa’s drug problem. Because subtle spiral and holes for respiration. The abalone has throughout the shell. Older abalone spiral tend to be harder to notice (https://www.wildlife.ca.gov 2018) Since the 1970s, surveys of its high price, many ignore the harsh penalty for breaking sensory tentacles along its sides which can cause its because of abrasions that occurred and animals that grew on its shell. The shell has iridescent layers because of the mineral argonite show a 99% decrease in white abalone population. The the law and harvest abalone without a license to get paid immensely strong foot to clamp on any surface when in and it is thickened with layers of nacre (mother of pearl). current remaining white abalone range from 1,600 to 2,500 danger. Because of their strong clamping force, they can be and survive. (https://www.health24.com 2018). (https://www.aquarium.co.za 2018) The Abalone shell has a wide and can continue to decrease by 10% per year. Archaeologists proved that harvesting abalone go back to very expensive to harvest. They earned the named white gold opening for the body and a row of raised open holes along its shell. (https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov 2018) Since abalone are in South African for their pearly flesh. Abalone have been New holes are made and closed throughout its life. The purpose of Native Americans harvesting abalone near the surface. broadcast spawners, they require densely packed populations They used them for shells, fishhooks and jewelry. In the known for many health benefits such has being a good source these holes are for sanitation, respiration and reproduction. The and if they are spread out fertility rates will be low. In efforts to Abalone is permanently attached to its shell by a strong shell muscle. 1950s and 60s, commercial abalone industry harvested up of omega 3, iodine and anti-inflammatory properties. It has restore the population to a healthy number, the NOAA The shell is formed during the larva phase. If an abalone is removed to 2,000 tons of abalone along California’s coast. (A NEW become a status symbol and delicacy throughout the world (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) formed a it cannot attach itself to another shell or make a new shell, but it can WAVE IN FARMING THE SEA May 03, 1988) In the 1970s, especially Asia. Despite harvesting being limited the high sale team of scientists and stakeholders developing a plan to still survive. Although, without its shell it is likely to be eaten by a the population of abalone plummeted because of price motivate many to poach and sell on the black market. predator. restore white abalone in 2008. In 2016, the white abalone Harvesting Abalone dates to the Native Americans using their Located between the foot and the shell are its organs in a became part of the “Species in the Spotlight” which is a five- overfishing. As the numbers declined the price increased to shells for tools and jewelry. Over the years overfishing and circular pattern. On the abalone’s head belong a pair of eyes, used to year plan of action. It includes: Improve and expand the $30 a pound. California was the center of commercial predation dwindled the population. Although, there are efforts find algae to feed on. The abalone has a tongue that is used to feed captive and breeding program, Implement a program to harvesting and the demand of abalone continued to rise. made by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric off rocks and break down kelp. An abalone uses a network of nerves successfully introduce captive-bred abalone to the wild, Find, Despite laws being put in to limit harvesting, the high price rather than a centralized brain. (https://www.aquarium.co.za 2018) Administration to restore its population by reintroducing describe, and protect white abalone habitat, and work with drives a high incentive. The poachers ignore the rules and captive abalone back into the wild. Along its mouth under the holes rests the gill chamber. The abalone go scuba diving at night to avoid being caught. A single draws water under its shell, then flows over the gills and out the partners to develop a collaborative outreach plan. pores. With the flow of water, reproductive products and waste flow (https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov 2018) The projects ultimate diver with a boat could harvest up to 2,000 abalone in a day which is about $200,000. (A NEW WAVE IN FARMING THE Health Benefits out through its pores. Directly opposite of its head towards the apex goal is to spawn healthy numbers in captivity and introduce in back is the heart. The abalone’s reproductive organ is also towards them back into the wild. They would research the location, SEA May 03, 1988) the back. These crescent shaped gonads are gray/green on females potential predators and poachers before releasing captives. Adult abalone is currently in healthy numbers but The most desired part of the abalone is the inner abalone and cream colored for males. (http://www.fishtech.com/facts.html The project does have to overcome the withering syndrome, a juvenile numbers are not sustainable for fishery. It takes up foot muscle. It is tenderized by a mallet and cooked specially in 2018) Surrounding these organs, the epipodium, which is a sensory type of disease that affects the digestive organs of the to five years for a juvenile abalone to reach adulthood to Asian restaurants. The Chinese deemed as status symbol tissue located at the edge of its foot. You can tell an abalone’s abalone. The abalone body decreases in size while the shell because of its high price, along other delicacies such as shark fin species by the color and texture of its epipodium tentacles. Using breed. Since less than 13% of population are juvenile they and ginseng. Along with this status symbol, Asians believe them to these tentacles an abalone can detected danger and it will pull its remains the same causing the abalone to be exposed to are more likely to be victims of predators such as starfish, have plenty of health benefits. Abalone is believed to promote epipodium using its strong foot to clamp down on rocky surfaces. It is predators. This disease is threating the recovery of the cards, and octopuses. (A NEW WAVE IN FARMING THE healthy eye, alleviate colds, reduce fluid retention and improve nearly impossible to move a large abalone that is clamped down on species. The Bodega Marine Laboratory (BML) recently SEA May 03, 1988) Abalone go through predation from an circulation. Abalone is a good source of omega 3, iodine and any surface. Lastly the foot of the abalone, a strong flat muscle that developed an antibiotic treatment to counter the disease. early stage of life. The eggs and larvae are in danger of phosphorous. They believe that the Omega 3 contains anti- attaches the abalone to its environment. This snail isn’t slow and it They developed an antibiotic bath treatment to prevent eaten by filter-feeders. The abalone in shallow water could inflammatory properties that reduce chance of developing cancer. can use its strong foot muscle to run or defend against its predator. It sponges, polychaetas, and bivalves or any shell-boring can twists with strong force to throw off any predators away and be crushed by rocks tossed during harsh weather. Their Iodine leads to a healthy functioning thyroid, improves the central organisms to add stress and cause abalone shell lesions. most effective predator is the sea otter. A sea otter can nervous system and healthier body development. Phosphorous escape. BML coats the shell covering the dorsal surface with a wax dislodge an exposed abalone. They are one of the first prey helps blood transport energy. (http://www.ausab.com.au 2018) compound. (https://www.wildlife.ca.gov) Their continued effort taken by sea otters in new habitats. Experts also believe that abalone can help prevent and alleviate in restoring and preventing occurring diseases may help conditions like arthritis. With these benefits abalone has been an increase the dwindling white abalone population. ongoing trend in Asian market. Work Cited

By, R. C. (1988, May 03). A NEW WAVE IN FARMING THE SEA. Newsday Retrieved from http://libraryaccess.sdmiramar.edu:8080/login?url=https://search-proquest- com.libraryaccess.sdmiramar.edu/docview/277981671?accountid=38871

“Abalone Health Benefits.” AUSAB PTY LTD, 15 Apr. 2016, www.ausab.com.au/abalone/abalone-health-benefits/. Abalone growing in tubes and waxing treatment to prevent (www.marinebio.net) Anderson, Genny. “Abalone Introduction.” Outlook: Human's Impact on the Oceans, Withering Syndrome 2003, www.marinebio.net/marinescience/06future/abintro.htm.

“Asian Appetite Threatening Abalone with Extinction.” Health24, 26 Mar. 2014, www.health24.com/Lifestyle/Environmental-health/News/Asian-appetite- threatening-abalone-with-extinction-20140326.

Facts About Abalone, 1999, www.fishtech.com/facts.html. NOAA. “White Abalone.” NOAA Fisheries, www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/white- (http://www.ausab.com.au/abalone/abalone-health- (https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Laboratories/Shel abalone. benefits/) (www.marinebio.net) lfish-Health/Recovery-Project)