Spawning, larval rearing and production of juveniles of the tropical Abalone Haliotis varia Linnaeus

Abstract

Abalone, popularly known as sea ear or ear shell, is an economically important marine gastropod mollusc belonging to the genus Haliotis. They are usually found attached to the rocks or dead corals in sheltered.bays or intertidal rocky shores with good water movement and surf action (Fig. 1). Abalones are herbivores feeding on sea weeds. Some of the abalone species with good growth rate are cultured for meat which has high market value. Abalone sea farming targeted for its meat has spanned nearly half a decade. Research and development projects and hatcheries are in operation in Australia, the British Isles, Canada, France and United States.