GROWTH, SIZE AT SEXUAL MATURITY, AND EGG-PER-RECRUIT ANALYSIS OF THE ABALONE HALIOTIS-FULGENS IN BAJA-CALIFORNIA

The growth rate and size at sexual maturity of Haliotis fulgens were measured at Bahia Tortugas, Baja California Sur. The parameters of the fitted von Bertalanffy growth equation were: K = 0.38, L-infinity = 183 mm. There was no significant difference in growth rate between the sexes. The length at which 50% of a sample reached sexual maturity was 105 mm. These data, with other published data on H. fulgens, were used to do yield-per-recruit and egg-per-recruit analyses. Maximum yields occurred at ages 4-7 years, according to the natural mortality rate chosen. At the current fishery size limit (145 mm), egg production levels are 6-17% and are considered to be dangerously low and inadequate to maintain recruitment.