Abalone are herbivorous marine gastropods and are nocturnal – that is, they hide during the day amongst rocks and at night time, they go out in search of food. Its fishery provides a significant source of employment and income to coastal people. From a socio-economic perspective, the long-term sustainability of abalone fisheries is of great importance. Unfortunately, abalone stocks have been overfished in many areas where they are found as a result of ever-increasing market demand, uncontrolled exploitation and/or inadequate or lack of fisheries management. One possible option for resource management is to educate local fishers to develop a corps of local resource managers who would promote sustainable fishing practices and conservation of this valuable resource (see Capinpin, this issue). Photo courtesy of E.C. Capinpin, Jr.

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Published: 2012-09-18