Modelling the growth of cultured greenlip abalone (Haliotis laevigata Leach): practical modes of measurement

Commercial abalone growers and aquaculture researchers need to monitor and compare the growth rate of their stocks. Growth rates based on both length and weights are often calculated, but the process of disturbance for measurement will affect the results of most studies. In natural populations, constant (linear) growth in length has been supported, while logarithmic transformations for growth rates (length and weight) have been used for aquaculture studies. This study of growth of greenlip abalone (Haliotis laevigata, Leach) over a prolonged period (3 years) indicates that both data treatments are suitable. If weights are being used, then a growth model that allows for exponential growth, such as specific growth rate (SGR), must be used. If lengths are measured, then the calculation of simple differences in the lengths over time is sufficient. The apparent paradox in use of two forms of measure is comfortably rationalized as a result of the weight-length relationship and the von Bertalanffy relationship for this species. Thus, methods of minimal disturbance and stress, such as photographic estimation of length, could be used to accurately monitor growth trends in aquacultural studies as well as in industry.