Yes abalone. Big Island Abalone. We went to see their aquaculture facility here. They grow abalone using clean, cold seawater that is piped up from a depth of 3000 feet just offshore of the island. They have been doing this since 1998.
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| Bori and our tour guide, Carlos |
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| Abalone grow pens |
They also grow dulse, the seaweed that they feed the abalone. However, the seaweed grows best at one temperature (50 degrees F) and the abalone grows best at another (60 degrees F). The surface ocean temperature is in the mid- to high-70's. Keeping everything at optimal temperatures is a big part of their work. Seawater is rapidly flowing through all systems. The dulse is harvested with nets, then transported to the smaller pens where the abalone graze on it and grow.
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| Dulse seaweed, food for the abalone |
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| Tank full of dulse |
They sell the live abalone beginning at about one year up to about 10 years. Prices increase with the age and corresponding size of the abalone.
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| Top to bottom: 6 months, 1 year, and 3-yr old albalone |
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| A 5-yr old abalone showing its "face" |
The tour ends with a tasting of grilled fresh abalone, and canned abalone. Very cool facility. We bought some dulse and some fresh abalone to eat tonight.
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