The scientific names of our legendary Paua species are Haliotis iris (Black Foot), Haliotis Paua usually spawn a few times at the end of summer Besides numbers and size restrictions on gathering paua, australis (Yellow Foot), and Haliotis virginea when water temperatures begin to drop. Males and rules state that people aren’t allowed to use scuba (White Foot), of the Haliotidae family and live females release sperm and eggs through the holes in their equipment or other breathing apparatus when gathering only in our coastal waters. shells, known as broadcast spawning, with fertilisation paua. You cannot even transport paua in boats or cars happening in open water. Clouds of sperm (as many as 7 carrying this equipment. Gathering is allowed by free Names of mollusks from this same family differ between million released per male) and eggs mingle, and eventually, diving only. countries and may be known by other names. In the west by chance collision, life ignites, and another paua begins the name abalone or sea-ear is most common. All are For those in the central fisheries area, shell fish rules and its journey. ear-shaped with small holes near the outer edge of the limits for paua include: shell and live in coastal waters. The fertilised eggs hatch into microscopic larvae which All paua have a 10 per day limit. Minimum keep sizes are: free-float for about a week then settle on the sea floor, The Black Foot (the critter with a black foot) has a unique Ordinary/Black foot (125mm) except in designated where most provide easy meals for other creatures, Taranaki region (85mm), Yellow foot (80mm). deeply colored mother-of-pearl sink, or inner shell. The especially starfish. The survivors develop small shells, and Yellow Foot has a rounder shell with silvery rainbow tones begin their attached (though migrating) lives. So in spite In addition, the maximum number or amount of paua inside. The White Foot is also more silvery, with notable of the number of eggs produced, very few make it to your that one person can have in their possession at any one ridges across the shell. dinner plate. time is 20 being two (2) times the maximum daily bag To resist extreme sea conditions, the foot adheres to limit of paua—or—shucked weight (shell removed) of The small paua live in shallower waters, tucked under 2.5kgs of paua. the rocks; the suction is so strong that a large knife is sheltering rocks, but as they mature, will live in the cooler needed to pry it loose, giving freediving harvesters quite waters around 10m. Paua grow to sexually mature adults Poachers are subject to fines and even confiscation of a workout. in 3-5 years and can live as long as 50 years. The biggest boats, scuba gear and other equipment. If you suspect The foot’s entire skirt is edged with small feathery threat are poachers, who can easily wipe out entire someone of breaking the law, please call the Ministry’s tentacles with which they feel their world. Paua eat algae colonies. hotline at 0800 4 POACHER (0800 476 243). and microorganisms through a mouth (located near the Paua are now being successfully farm grown, with some For shellfish regulations, see www.fish.govt.nz/en-nz/ gills), that contains two rasp like front teeth for grinding specifically for the production of cultured “paua pearls”, Recreational/Fishery+Management+Areas/Central/ food. (See Anatomy of Paua right for more info.) which do occur naturally although rarely. Shellfish.htm

6 PAKU VIEWS ISSUE 5 SPRING 2012