Abalone Research

• Research Initiatives
• DFO Abalone Recovery Work
• Selected Research Papers

Naturally shy and reclusive, the abalone is famed worldwide as a culinary delight. Anyone who’s lived along British Columbia’s coastline knows about abalone. Over 30 years ago, you would have said abalone were on most exposed rocky shores on a good low tide. Every once in a while, you might even have collected a few for dinner. Nowadays, you are apt to say it’s very hard to find an abalone, even on the lowest tides. You definitely can’t take any because they are now endangered and it is illegal to fish them.

Research Intiatives

Coming soon.

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DFO Abalone Recovery Work

Find abalone information from Fisheries and Oceans Canada on their website: http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/ops/fm/shellfish/abalone/default_e.htm.

Available information includes updates on the recovery of abalone in British Columbia , the National Recovery Strategy and National Recovery Action Plan for North Abalone in BC, abalone video clips, other research publications and links to abalone conservation organizations. This site also links to related pages about abalone biology, DFO News Releases, other shellfish and fisheries management.

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Selected Research Papers

Atkins, M. Lessard, J. and Campbell, A. 2002. Resurvey of Northern Abalone, Haliotis kamtschatkana, Populations in Southeast Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia. Canadian Manuscript Report of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 2704.

Campbell, A. et al. 2001. High Levels of Genetic Variation in Northern Abalone Haliotis kamtschatkana of British Columbia. Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat Research Document 2001/097.

Day, E. and Branch, G. 2002. Effects of Sea Urchins (Parachinus Angulosus) on Recruits and Juveniles of Abalone (Haliotis Midae). Ecological Monographs, 72(1). 133–149.

Jamieson, G. 1999. Review of Status of Northern, or Pinto, Abalone, Haliotis Kamtschatkana, in Canada. Canadian Stock Assessment Secretariat Research Document 99/190.

Mayfield, S. and Branch, G. 2000. Interrelations among rock lobsters, sea urchins, and juvenile abalone: implications for community
management. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 57. 2175–2185.

Mortimor, J., Elliott, G. and Henderson, C. 2002. Survey of Northern Abalone, Haliotis kamtschatkana, Populations in East Eagle Bay (Scott’s Bay), Barkley Sound, British Columbia. Unpublished report.

Sloan, N. 2004. Northern Abalone: Using an Invertebrate to Focus
Marine Conservation Ideas and Values. Coastal Management, 32. 129–143.

DFO abalone research publications are listed and some can be downloaded at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/ops/fm/shellfish/abalone
/references_e.htm.

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