Comparison of the Advantages and Disadvantages of Different Abalone Farming Methods

Artificial abalone farming has developed rapidly in China. Because natural conditions vary from place to place, the farming methods developed differ as well. Abalone farming methods include factory-based abalone farming, tunnel abalone farming, and shallow-sea raft abalone farming. The author now briefly introduces the main abalone farming methods and their advantages and disadvantages for reference.

Factory-Based Abalone Farming

[Advantages] 1. It occupies little land, is easy to manage in a centralized way, and the abalone grows quickly with a short growth cycle. 2. In factory-based abalone farming, the entire process from seedling rearing to growing into commercial products is manually controlled. 3. The water environment is not affected by external factors such as weather and sea conditions, and the warmed water in winter can be recycled after treatment. 4. The degree of farming intensification is high, and the yield and benefits per unit area are both high. 5. Operations and management such as feeding, water changing, observation, and disease prevention for abalone are more convenient.

[Disadvantages] 1. The investment cost of plant facilities is high, the capital recovery period is relatively long, and the management workload is large. 2. The farming density is high, water quality monitoring is difficult, and diseases are prone to occur.

[Summary] The technical content required for farming technology and disease prevention and control is relatively high. 3. This farming model is more suitable for places with limited space, higher land prices, and sites far from the seaside. This method is mostly used along the coast of Liaoning and Shandong.

Tunnel Abalone Farming

[Advantages] 1. Compared with factory-based abalone farming, it saves plant construction costs. 2. The tunnel is warm in winter and cool in summer, providing good conditions for abalone to overwinter and pass the summer, and saving the cost of heating in winter. 3. Because the temperature inside the tunnel is suitable all year round, the abalone grows quickly and the cycle is short. 4. It is easy to guard and manage, and the abalone survival rate is high. 5. The farming risk is small, and it is not restricted by natural conditions such as storms and sea tides.

[Disadvantages] 1. The tunnel reservoir has small capacity and poor water exchange capacity. 2. Water quality is prone to deterioration. 3. Ventilation capacity is poor.

[Summary] Tunnel abalone farming is more suitable for coastal islands where the site is relatively close to the tunnel, making it convenient to move seedlings, where funds are insufficient, where the sea area temperature is relatively high in summer and the seawater temperature in winter is relatively low. In addition, the tunnel should be equipped with ventilation facilities and equipment for water and electricity supply.

Shallow-Sea Raft Abalone Farming

[Advantages] 1. Raft frames for farming kelp, scallops, oysters, and other species at sea can be used, saving investment costs. 2. Water exchange conditions are excellent, and dissolved oxygen is sufficient. 3. It can save the cost of pumping water and aeration. 4. The feed put in is easy to keep fresh. 5. The management workload is small.

[Disadvantages] 1. It is more affected by natural conditions such as strong winds and spring tides, and sometimes typhoons can easily cause loss of raft frames. 2. Because it is subject to attachment by oyster seedlings and glass sea squirts from natural sea areas, the mesh size should be regularly cleaned or replaced. 3. Daily management is relatively often affected by disastrous weather. 4. Safety performance is poor.

[Summary] This method is suitable for harbors with relatively unobstructed sea conditions, no pollution, and less attachment by oysters, glass sea squirts, and miscellaneous algae, and where it is unaffected or less affected by typhoons. In addition, the bay is rich in kelp, Undaria pinnatifida, and Sargassum thunbergii. This method is used more in the Jiaodong area of Shandong.