Frequently asked questions about farming Abalone. 

Q-1:What are the ideal conditions for farming abalone? 

FISHTECH: The "ideal" conditions for farming abalone are the environmental, physical, and operating conditions that provide for the fastest growth and best survival for the specific species of abalone being grown at a particular facility. 

Q-2:What kind of expertise is necessary to farm abalone? 

FISHTECH: Abalone farming is hard work, but it also uses science and business sense to be successful. A typical farm may have one or more biologist helping with the science part of the business, but it will also have several, if not many laborers to feed and care for the abalone. 

Q-3: What kind of requirements and regulations are involved in farming abalone? 

FISHTECH: The requirements and regulations will vary greatly from site to site. Typically there are local, regional and/or national requirements and/or regulations associated with business licenses, species of abalone that can be farmed, construction of facilities, land-use, labor, water extraction and discharges, noise, and many other parameters. 

Q-4: Is it possible to farm more than one species of abalone? 

FISHTECH: Yes, facilities can be constructed to accommodate more than one species, however, unless the farm has water supplies of different temperatures, all of the species must be able to grow profitably at the farm's water temperature. 

Q-5: What are the difficulties in introducing new species of abalone to an area for farming? 

FISHTECH: Typically, the primary issue for such introductions is receiving governmental permission for such activities. To assist in such new introductions, abalone can be inspected prior to introducing to a new area to make sure they are healthy and not carrying any disease causing organisms. If necessary, as a further measure quarantine facilities can be constructed that serve to isolate new species from the surrounding environment. 

Q-1:What licenses are required to farm abalone? 

FISHTECH: Licensing requirements will be specific for each site, but may include federal, regional, provincial, and/or local licenses. 

Q-7: Where is the best place to grow abalone? 

FISHTECH: Abalone occur worldwide, with commercially important species found in temperate, sub-tropical, and tropical waters. Many places throughout the world are excellent for growing abalone as long as there is good environmental, physical, and operating conditions to promote fast growth and good survival. 

Q-8: Which species of abalone should I produce? 

FISHTECH: The species of abalone that you produced will be determined primarily by the water temperature at your facility and any restrictions you may have on which abalone species you may grow. 

Q-9: How much water do I need? 

FISHTECH: A facility's size, and the number of times the water is used before being discharged, will determine how much water you need. A small, single -pass facility might need several hundred gallons per minute, yet a large, multiple -water-use operation might have the same water requirements. On the other hand a large, single pass facility could require several thousands of gallon of water each minute. 

Q-10: What kind of water quality do I need to farm abalone? 

FISHTECH: Water quality can be manipulated to help you grow abalone but in many cases it is generally better to try to start with a water temperature range that is correct for the species you are farming, normal oceanic salinity around 33 ppt, pH around 8.0 - 8.3, oxygen saturation of 70 - 90 %, and no toxic elements such as heavy metals. 

Q-11: What is the ideal water temperature for farming abalone? 

FISHTECH: Each species has a preferred temperature range, but generally temperate species can be found in water temperatures ranging from 46 to 64 °F, (8 - 18 °C), with subtropical species found in ranges of 57 to 79 °F, (14 - 26 °C), and tropical species located in temperatures around 60 to 86 °F, (16 - 30 °C). 

Q-12: How much area do I need to farm abalone? 

FISHTECH: The scale and type of any farm will determine the amount of area needed. Commercial land-based facilities might need as little as 0.5 to 1 hectare, or as much as 5 to 10 hectares. Sea-based facilities could have a similar range of area requirements.   

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