Artificial Breeding for Abalone to Recover Marine Resources
Every November, the breeding season of abalone, workers at the recovery park obtain fertilized eggs of abalone that are artificially inseminated and newly-hatched abalone larvae and remove them to a cultivation pool. Lin-Xing Zhou, technician at the recovery park, stated that abalone larvae in the cultivation pool would float in the water for 2 to 5 days. Then they would attach to plastic corrugated boards hanging high in the pool and feed on algae on the boards to slowly grow up. In February the next year, workers would gently brush these abalone larvae off plastic corrugated boards to the bottom of the pool and start feeding them with their favorite food—gracilaria—to make them keep growing in preparation for being released later.
New Taipei City Agriculture Department Commissioner Wen Lee indicated that to enrich marine resources in New Taipei City, the recovery park breeds abalone artificially in November each year and releases them to Maoao Cultivated Fishery Demonstration Zone with students and groups in New Taipei City when they are about 3 centimeters long in May and June the next year. With the participation of students and the public, they learn to get close to the ocean and protect the ocean, and the concept of marine conservation would be deeply rooted in their minds.
Setting Period—The Only Chance to Meet Abalone Larvae in Daytime!
After abalone larvae at the recovery park live on corrugated boards for over two months, their shells are approximately 0.5 to 1 centimeter long. It is the best time to observe abalone larvae. The chance comes once in a blue moon. So don’t hesitate, and make a reservation for a rich and educational tour on the Northeast Coast for you, your family and friends on the website of Fisheries and Fishing Port Affairs Management Office, New Taipei City Government now!
Tour Reservation: https://reurl.cc/L1zgE3
Travel agencies and groups are welcomed to make a reservation
as well!