Maximising value by reducing stress-related mortality in wild harvested black-lip abalone (Haliotis rubra)

Post-harvest mortality in wild caught abalone, particularly in the processor tanks affects the amount of product available for the valuable live export market. While abalone that die post-harvest can be canned, the value of this product is less than if exported live. Mortality of blacklip abalone, Haliotis rubra, in the processor tanks (typically <48h of harvesting) has been attributed to stress facilitated by factors such as harvest practices, practices during transport from the reef to the processor, the length of the road transport phase, and the time of the year. Minimising stress during the harvest supply chain (reef to processor) has the capacity to reduce post-harvest mortality and increase the value of the harvested abalone. This project aimed to quantify changes in stress levels in abalone from the time that they are removed from the reef to the point of export from the processors, and to quantify how the magnitude of stress and the capacity to recover from stress is affected by time spent on the deck prior to packing in bins post-harvest, the extent and use of seawater immersion on the boat, and the timing and frequency of water changes during transport.