Schalk de Waal, Salem Khoom, Salim Al-Ghassani, Ali Al-Mashikhi, and Virgie Sol Tamando Titular

pp. 255 - 263

Abstract

In order to test site selection and seeding methodology hatchery reared juvenile Haliotis mariae with an average
shell-length 30-52 mm were seeded along the Dhofar coast during the winter months of the NE monsoon. 18 sites (10 juveniles
per site) were sampled after 30, 60, and 90 days. Approximately 70% of the total area seeded comprised habitat that has the
potential to shelter and protect juveniles (boulders <50 cm Ø). In total 93% of the juveniles recovered utilized this type of
habitat. 86% of the juveniles moved <1m over the experimental period. Growth rates ranged from 1.39 to 3.57 mm month^-2
.
A significant negative relationship was found between time and recovery rates (p=0.04). Site selection and seeding methodology was shown to be consistent and reliable, paving the way for larger scale long-term seeding experiments.