Hatchery-reared abalone (≈2 years old) that had an initial shell
length (SL) of 75.78±2.62 mm and an initial body weight (BW) of
62.31±2.68 g were used in the experiment. The abalone were
cultured in cylindrical plastic cages (diameter: 40 cm, height: 50 cm,
N=20 per cage). The abalone were distributed randomly among 15
cultivation cages. The cages were aligned in a single row and were
suspended from long lines at a depth of 4.5 m.