What is a abalone species?
Abalone are a type of single-shelled (gastropod) herbivorous marine mollusc. Their body is large and fleshy, with a broad, muscular foot that is used to attach itself to reefs or rocks using suction. The shells of abalone species are rough, flat and ear-shaped, which protects them from wave action.
How many species of abalone are there in the world?
80 species
Abalone species live in temperate areas all over the world. They share similar shell and body characteristics but each species is unique. Somewhere over 80 species exist worldwide – all found in rocky habitats. Most abalone can be used to make inlay jewelry because of the beautiful mother-of-pearl inside the shell.
Is the abalone a snail?
So what exactly IS abalone? Essentially, it’s a sea snail. More technically, it’s a gastropod mollusk in the Haliotidae family (along with whelks and sea slugs). It’s a univalve, which means that unlike their bivalve brethren, the mighty abalone just has a protective shell on one side of their bodies.
What is abalone called in Australia?
The scientific family name for Abalone is Haliotidae. In Western Australia there are 11 species of abalone, but only three are large enough in size to be fished: Brownlip abalone (Haliotis conicopora); Greenlip abalone (Haliotis laevigata); and Roe’s abalone (Haliotis roei) (above, from left to right).
Why is it illegal to fish for abalone?
It is illegal to take abalone from the ocean. Numbers of abalone are now at critically low levels because of over-exploitation. Poaching is the biggest threat to abalone. People in local communities are either paid money or given drugs by large syndicates to illegally remove abalone from the ocean.
Which abalone is best?
Generally speaking, abalones from Mexico, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa are considered to be of premium quality – but the most exclusive (and most expensive) are the abalones from Mexico. These are deemed to be of superior quality and are firm to touch, but the softest to bite.
Is it illegal to harvest abalone?
Sport harvesting of red abalone is permitted with a California fishing license and an abalone stamp card. Transportation of abalone may only legally occur while the abalone is still attached in the shell. Sale of sport-obtained abalone is illegal, including the shell.
