Preliminary Studies on the Use of Pit Tags to Evaluate Abalone Restocking

Abstract

ABSTRACT The evaluation of abalone (Haliotis spp.) restocking programs might be improved by the use of microchips attached to seeds [ca. 20–30mmshell length (SL)]. Preliminary studies were conducted to standardize thismethodology and to assess tag retention and the potential impacts of tagging red abalone (Haliotis rufescens) seeds (initial averages: 26 mm SL, 2.5 g total weight) with passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags (9×2mm, Biomark, HPR Plus Reader). Tags were placed in previously made grooves in the shells and glued with a cyanoacrylate adhesive fast cured with sodium bicarbonate. Laboratory trials showed that metabolic rate increased in tagged seeds compared with untagged controls (t = 4.74, P = 0.009) immediately after the tagging procedure, but this effect was not significant after 3 h (t= 1.43, P = 0.23). Food (Macrocystis pyrifera) consumption after 24 h was similar by seeds marked with PIT tags, plastic tags, both tags, and untagged controls (F= 0.12, P = 0.94). Tag retention and survival...