Hello Steemians,
My largest collected NZ Paua shell ( pronounced par-wah ) has finally arrived back from Southern Paua Ltd and the polishing has come up beautiful!
I was given a A grade rating due to the size of my shell, however they can rate them up to an "A grade super trophy" standard, which has an almost liquid blue sheen.
The natural colors of the Paua ( Haliotis iris, Black footed Paua ) are amazing and this type of polishing really brings out the colors ten fold ( the inside of their shells look like this naturally, boasting iridescent blues, greens, pinks and deep purples).
Here's there website, you can also buy shells from them along with all types of Paua jewelery.
The NZ Black footed paua is a large ocean snail that lives on the rocks within NZ's coastal waters, and feeds on mostly algae ( they are more prolific in southern waters and The Chathams Islands, than northern NZ waters ) and are a substantial resource for NZ fisheries.
Here's the underside of a paua showing the head and mouth parts under the shell. Source NZpaua.
Wild collection is very easy on the Chatham Islands!
They’re highly prized internationally as a delicacy, selling for up to $260.00 a kg ($194.58 USD)!!!
Some quick facts about the NZ Paua:
- Paua or Abalone are haemophiliacs ( once their skin is damaged, they cannot stop the blood flow, so good to use a blunt collection knife when fishing for them )
- Paua blood is bright Blue
- Paua are a type of large sea snail native to NZ
- Average size of around 180mm ( 7.1 inches ) with the largest recorded at 200mm (7.9 inchs)
- Maori used the shiney and unique coloured shell to decorate the all seeing eyes of their carvings
- Paua are commonly referred to as Abalone around the globe and the largest species is from the west coats of northern America
I’ve now added this shell back to my collection of Abalone shells from around NZ which now includes:
Haliotis iris ( Black footed Paua )
Haliotis virginea ( Ear Paua )
Haliotis australis ( Queen Paua or Silver Paua )
I collected this small Paua on a trip to a Paua farm in 2014, it was bright Blue on every surface when I first collected it but it has since faded.
Here's a whole tonne of baby Paua before they were placed into their grow-out tanks at the aquaculture facility in Ruakaka northland ( OceaNZ Blue )
Here's the adult grow out tanks.
Thanks for reading, and be sure to upvote and follow for more posts like this - I'll do another post about my trip through this aquaculture facility too in time, I can't yet retire on my Steemit proceeds just yet, so still have to do my day job!!
Until next time, keep on steeming!
