L. Rogers-Bennett,J.S. Pearse
Abstract:
The feasibility of enhancing populations of red abalone, Haliotis rufescens, by seeding juveniles was evaluated in Northern California. We seeded 50,000 hatchery-reared juvenile red abalone averaging 8 mm in length in October 1995 into six sites: Caspar, Van Damme, Salt Point, Bodega Marine Life Refuge north, BMLR south, and Half Moon Bay. Recovery of juveniles at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years totaled less than 1% of the number seeded, however seed accounted for one-third of the 1995 cohort. Recovered juveniles with obvious hatchery markings grew 15 mm per year. Recapture rates were higher at three sites with urchin spine canopy microhabitat as compared to three sites without sea urchins. Although juvenile recoveries may not be good indicators of survival, poor recapture rates highlight the present importance of conservative fishery management strategies.