The Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center Aquaculture Department (SEAFDEC AQD) has doubled its production techniques according to Dr. Wenresti Gallardo, head of the mollusks Seed Production Unit and Program Leader for Stock Enhancement. The juveniles will be released in the wild to enhance the dwindling wild populations. The hatchery-produced abalone can be identified from the wild by bluish-green shell band. This is done by feeding the 2-3 months old juveniles for one month with artificial diets that AQD has developed for the abalone to produce a bluish-green shell band. Release of these juveniles into the natural habitat will be done this year after baseline data and genetics study of the wild and hatchery populations have been conducted. The spontaneous spawning of abalone in 1994, successful grow out in floating net cages in completion of life cycle in captivity paved the way for the development of the seed production technique. This also led to the establishment of a stock enhancement of mollusks.

SEAFDEC doubles production of abalone. (2002, February 20). The Visayas Examiner, pp. 2, 4.