There have been reports of numerous empty shells of undersized abalone
at popular fishing sites. Although there are many possible causes of
death for undersized abalone, a likely cause is carelessness in picking
and returning undersized abalone.
Ab irons are designed to reduce the chances of injuring abalone, but
the irons can still cause fatal wounds if used improperly. Foot cuts
deeper than ½ inch are likely to cause death since abalone have no
blood clotting capabilities. Cuts around the head are often fatal.
When sliding an iron under an abalone, keep the iron as close to the
rock as possible to avoid stabbing the foot. In prying abalone off
rocks it is important that the ab iron handle be lifted away from the
rock so that the tip of the bar does not dig into the bottom of the
foot.
Even uninjured abalone could easily be killed by predators if they
are not carefully returned to suitable habitat. Abalone put on sandy
areas or seaweed covered rock surfaces will not be able to clamp down
sufficiently to protect themselves from predators. Fishing regulations
require an undersized abalone be returned to the same surface of the
rock from which it was detached. Experienced abalone pickers can distinguish
undersized abalone and do not remove them from rocks. Avoiding removal
of undersized abalone helps protect abalone populations since any time
an abalone is removed from a rock, there is a chance that it could
be fatally injured or unable to reattach to a safe location
In the last 20+ years, the commercial catch of abalone worldwide has
declined from 18,000mt to a little over 10,000mt. Below are listed
6 major reasons for the decline. Number 5 (Illegal harvesting) is by
far the largest and most important reason for the Abalone decline.
1. Predation. Sea otters (major abalone predators) expanded their range
in central California virtually eliminating recreational and commercial
fisheries for abalone and other invertebrates. Commercial abalone harvesting
is now primarily concentrated in southern California.
2. Mortality of small abalone for many reasons.
3. Over harvesting. Abalone are easily over harvested because of slow
growth and variable reproductive success. Initial high harvests cannot
be sustained.
4. Competition. Sea urchins and other species, utilizing abalone food
and living space.
5. Illegal harvesting. Some people ignore the regulations enacted to
protect abalone because abalone bring high prices.
Loss of habitat. Coastal "development" and pollution have ruined large
areas of abalone habitat.
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