No evident effect of domestication on the anti-predator behaviour of European abalone (Haliotis tuberculata): Implications for stock enhancement programs

Stock-enhancement programs for the European abalone (Haliotis tuberculata) might be an efficient way to restore collapsed natural populations or preserve fishing activities. Specifically, this practice consists of releasing hatchery-reared juveniles from wild farmed broodstock into environments. However, process selection and adaptation farming conditions may result in domestication, thus leading genetic behavioural changes animals. Therefore, evaluating effects domestication on is a critical first step toward development successful stock-enhancement programs. To end, behaviour survival sixteen-month-old H. tuberculata (the product three generations shell-length based selection) were compared. We used assays at different spatial temporal scales: (1) short-term responses simulated contact with predators, (2) activity pattern presence predator velvet crab Necora puber) aquariums during 2-week trial, (3) large mesocosms predators 3-week trial. No significant origin detected any studied parameters (P > 0.05). In addition, estimated size small compared overall mean most variables, suggesting that was too recent induce important broodstock. Introducing crabs significantly decreased rates < mortality (55%) occurred within days, which largely attributed initial exploration areas outside shelters by abalone. second week, spent much less time moving when present These results suggest both origins would likely have same if released wild. The commonly reported high immediately after seeding due lack hiding new environment few days exposure current release systems need adjusted ethological characteristics avoid mortalities avoidance.