Tagged Abalone Shell Discovery at Mettams Pool Uncovers Research Program

A Curious Discovery

While walking along the waterline at Mettams Pool in Perth, Australia, Elisha Blott made an unusual find: a broken abalone shell fragment. What made the discovery particularly intriguing was a four-digit plastic tag, numbered 5247, affixed to the shell.

The fragment was identified as part of an abalone shell, leading to a connection with an ongoing scientific initiative.

Understanding the Research Program

Western Australia's primary industries department, DPIRD, quickly identified the tag as belonging to an active research program. Jamin Brown, a research scientist with DPIRD, provided details about the project.

The shell originated from one of 7,000 roe abalone that have been part of a significant aquaculture effort. These abalone were raised, tagged, and subsequently released at three distinct locations around Perth. Approximately 2,000 were released in 2023, followed by an additional 5,000 in the subsequent year.

The core purpose of this extensive program is vital for marine conservation.

"The unique tag numbers allow researchers to track the growth and survival rates of abalone in their natural habitat."

How the Abalone are Tagged

The tagging method is meticulous. Each tag is mounted onto a stainless spring, which is then carefully placed onto the growing edge of the abalone shell. To ensure the tag's secure attachment, the abalone are kept in hatchery tanks for several months, allowing their shells to naturally grow over and firmly embed the tag in place.

While the tagging and release of new abalone have now concluded, the monitoring phase of previously tagged individuals remains active. Researchers continue to track these abalone, some of which may have grown to a size suitable for recreational fishing. The entire research initiative is proudly supported by the Recreational Fishing Initiatives Fund project, utilizing revenue generated from fishing licence fees.

Community's Role in Monitoring

DPIRD actively encourages public involvement in their research efforts. Individuals who discover a tagged abalone are requested to report their find.

"DPIRD encourages individuals who find a tagged abalone to report it."

To assist researchers, finders should take a clear photograph of the abalone shell alongside a ruler, ensuring the numbered tag is distinctly visible. This information, along with details of the date of capture or location found, should be submitted to DPIRD online. This crucial data helps link the tag number to a comprehensive database, providing insights into the abalone's date of birth, its length and age at the time of tagging, and its original release date and location.

Targeted Release Locations

Beyond the tagged specimens, close to 80,000 untagged juvenile roe abalone were released onto reefs situated between Trigg and Hillarys. The specially tagged abalone, however, were released onto three specific platform reefs: one at North Beach and two located south of Mettams Pool.