Movement and home range of pink abalone Haliotis corrugata: implications for restoration and population recovery

Published source details Coates J., Hovel K., Butler J., Klimley A. & Morgan S. (2013) Movement and home range of pink abalone Haliotis corrugata: implications for restoration and population recovery. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 486, 189-201.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Translocate species - Translocate molluscs Action Link

Translocate species - Translocate molluscs

A before-and-after study in 2009–2010 in one area of kelp forest, in the North Pacific Ocean, off the coast of San Diego, California, USA (Coates et al. 2013) found that 18 months after translocation of adult pink abalone Haliotis corrugata to existing patchy populations, total abalone (translocated and resident) abundance had decreased to similar levels as before translocation. Results were not statistically tested. Eighteen months after translocation, 35% of abalone at the site had been lost (due to mortality and emigration). Abalone abundance after 18 months was 0.11 abalone/m², lower than immediately after translocation (0.18 abalone/m²) and more similar to before translocation (0.09 abalone/m²). Following translocation, translocated abalone displayed similar average home range (163 m²) and linear distance travelled (7 m) compared to resident abalone (home range: 145 m²; distance travelled: 8.6 m). The study site (254 m²) had 23 resident adult abalone. In September 2009, all were tagged with acoustic transmitters and returned to their original position. An additional 23 abalone from a nearby area (approximately 2.2 km north) were tagged and translocated to the study site in groups of 2–6. Divers monitored abalone for 18 months by counting dead tagged abalone and live untagged abalone. Home range and linear distance travelled by tagged abalone were assessed from their behaviour and movement patterns.

(Summarised by: Anaëlle Lemasson)