Abalones

Abalones are marine gastropod mollusks in the family Haliotidae. They have flattened, ear-shaped shells with a single row of respiratory pores along the outer edge. The shell interior is lined with nacre, or mother-of-pearl, which gives a colorful, iridescent appearance. Abalones are herbivorous grazers, feeding mainly on algae scraped from rocks.

Abalones occur in temperate and subtropical coastal waters around the world, typically on rocky shores and subtidal reefs. They prefer hard substrates where they can cling with their muscular foot. The Indo-Pacific region hosts the greatest diversity of species, with notable populations and fisheries along the coasts of North America, Australia, New Zealand, and parts of Asia.

Biology and life cycle: abalones are dioecious, and most species release eggs and sperm into the water for external fertilization. Fertilized eggs develop into free-swimming larval veligers before settling as juvenile snails. Growth rates are slow, and individuals can live for many years, with some species reaching market size only after several years of growth.

Human use and conservation: abalones are valued for their edible meat and for the nacreous interior of their shells, used in jewelry and inlays. Overfishing, habitat loss, pollution, and warming waters have led to declines in many populations. Management measures such as size limits, quotas, seasonal closures, and protected areas are common in various regions. Abalone aquaculture is practiced in several countries to supply markets and relieve wild stocks, though disease and environmental changes continue to threaten wild populations.