If you are an abalone, it's some sort of algae, dulce or seaweed. At The Cultured Abalone farm, abalone are fed 36 tons of kelp a week. In order to provide that amount of feed, Ben Beede, the owner of the farm, owns a kelp harvesting boat, a large truck and a permit from the State of California. The giant brown kelp is the primary food source for adult abalone. This forest-like plant can grow as much as three feet a day under ideal conditions.
It is a little more complicated than just going out and harvesting the seaweed. Depending on the time of the year, divergent areas along the coast of California are growing enough for a harvest. In addition, certain areas of coastline have been set aside as a sanctuary and there are permits to be obtained from the state.
The El Nino conditions as well a seasonal winds affect the nutrient upwelling from ocean depth which in turn affect the quality and growth rate of the seaweed. When there are cooler temperatures and more minerals present you have a darker colored kelp that is packed with more nutrients essential for optimal growth of the abalone. Another factor is the number of sea urchins that might be present. They are voracious feeders of kelp and can greatly reduce the amount of growth in the kelp forest.
There is an excellent article on the San Francisco Chronicle about the kelp harvest and the conflicts of using this natural resource. The essence of the article is that there is a need to balance the kelp harvest amongst the interests of commerce, the environment and the preservation of habitat. Click here for details.
Tastefully yours®,
Chef Michael Hutchings
