Early reproduction in hatchery-raised white abalone, Haliotis sorenseni, Bartsch, 1940

T.B. McCormick, J.L. Brogan-2003

Journal of Shellfish Research, 22(3): 825-829

Abstract:

White abalone, Haliotis sorenseni, is the first marine invertebrate species to be placed on the endangered species list in the United States. A controlled breeding program is underway to provide stocks to reestablish wild populations of this species. There is no knowledge of the reproductive potential of early adults. This study examines the onset of gonad maturation and spawning capability of one-year-old abalone. Both hydrogen peroxide and ultra-violet irradiated seawater induced spawning in males and females as small as 25 to 35 mm in shell length. More males spawned in each treatment than females (P < 0.01). The onset of gonad maturation is much smaller for white abalone than for other sympatric abalone in California. The implications for restocking strategies are discussed.

(Channel Islands Marine Resource Institute, P.O. Box 1627, Port Hueneme, California, 93024, USA)

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