BajaNomad - Abalone Reseeding Project at San Martin Island

Abalone Reseeding Project at San Martin Island

BajaGringo - 6-6-2011 at 10:52 PM

I just hung up the phone and I still don't believe it!

Although we didn't make the final round of 20 in the Iniciativa Mexico last year, we did get a lot of votes and many, many very nice and supportive comments added for our project - the reseeding of abalone out at San Martin Island.

Apparently those votes and comments made a difference and were referenced by Baja state officials who selected our project as one of the winners of the Science and Technology Awards for the State of Baja California.

We will be presented the award next Monday by Governor Osuna Millan and it includes a state grant of nearly 5 million pesos to be invested in our project.

It has been a long road, tons of work and we are totally thrilled. Thanks again to all of you for your votes and very kind messages sent to me of your support.

I am humbled and deeply appreciative...

[Edited on 6-14-2011 by BajaGringo]

[Edited on 7-25-2012 by BajaGringo]

David K - 6-6-2011 at 10:53 PM

Wonderful news Ron!

goldhuntress - 6-6-2011 at 11:00 PM

Wow, that is super cool!! Congratulations!

redhilltown - 6-7-2011 at 12:08 AM

It's good to hear good news on here!!!!

Cypress - 6-7-2011 at 04:45 AM

Fantastic!!! :yes:

baronvonbob - 6-7-2011 at 05:40 AM

That is great! next the road.

woody with a view - 6-7-2011 at 05:45 AM

that's great! maybe you can gleen some info here. they have been doing it off sunset cliffs for a decade or more.

http://meso.spawar.navy.mil/Projects/Abalone/index.html

Osprey - 6-7-2011 at 05:48 AM

Ron, that's great news indeed. Congratulations. The timing is not good. The project dovetails with my sea otter introduction project.

chippy - 6-7-2011 at 06:02 AM

Congratulations. I´m impressed. It can´t be easy dealing with any bureaucracy.

BajaGringo - 6-7-2011 at 06:35 AM

Thanks everybody for the very kind words and well-wishes. Today it is back to work...

Quote:

Originally posted by woody with a view
that's great! maybe you can gleen some info here. they have been doing it off sunset cliffs for a decade or more.

http://meso.spawar.navy.mil/Projects/Abalone/index.html

We are familiar with the project at Point Loma. It was announced some time ago but I haven't heard much in the way of updates/progress. They will be starting a small colony by seeding abalone in the hundreds. We are seeding over three hundred thousand the first year, working up to a half million by the third year through the fifth.

DENNIS - 6-7-2011 at 06:36 AM

Congrats Ron. Hard work isn't always it's own reward.
5,000,000 Ps. WOW....that's a lot of Pacifico. :spingrin:

tripledigitken - 6-7-2011 at 06:45 AM

Ron,

That is terrific news! What a great reward to come along with the cudos. What is the timeline for product to market, (when can i get my hands on one of my favorite seafoods)?

Very good work amigo!

Ken

shari - 6-7-2011 at 06:49 AM

Oh Ron....I am so happy for you and your companeros....it is so gratifying when something you have put so much energy into receives a deserving reward...onwards and upwards amigo....this cheered me up a bit after last nights hockey fiasco!

Skipjack Joe - 6-7-2011 at 06:50 AM

Good for you Bajagringo. Or as shari would say, "good on ya".

[Edited on 6-7-2011 by Skipjack Joe]

Ken Bondy - 6-7-2011 at 06:56 AM

Fabulous Ron!! Congratulations!!!

DENNIS - 6-7-2011 at 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by shari
...this cheered me up a bit after last nights hockey fiasco!

What happened?

Mike99km - 6-7-2011 at 07:41 AM

This is soon good for the locals. I hope to see more abs locally for dinner!
MMc

SDRonni - 6-7-2011 at 08:02 AM

That is fantastic! We love abalone and haven't found any for sale for ages! Only those yucky-looking things they're trying to pass as abalone at Ensenada fish market. DH said, "No way that's abalone!" We wish you much success!

KASHEYDOG - 6-7-2011 at 08:26 AM

Congratulations Ron. I'm happy for you and all the people that this project will help throughout Baja. It's a great endeavor you have taken on. Keep up the wonderful work... :yes:

Dick

[Edited on 6-7-11 by KASHEYDOG]

Russ - 6-7-2011 at 08:30 AM

YES ! ! ! :bounce:

Natalie Ann - 6-7-2011 at 09:17 AM

That's real good news, Ron. Congratulations.

nena

Woooosh - 6-7-2011 at 10:09 AM

GREAT JOB RON!!! :yes:

MikeYounghusband - 6-7-2011 at 01:44 PM

Once agian you pulled it off Ron, You da man!!!!!!

BajaGringo - 6-7-2011 at 03:32 PM

Thanks so much guys - it has been an amazing day and I received a lot of phone calls from folks congratulating our team. We are really excited about what lies ahead as this is just part of a larger, diverse program in the works.

The first seedings of abalone will take about five years to reach a size where they can be harvested. We have done a lot of research and planning to ensure that once harvesting does begin, maintaining a self-sustaining abalone population be the ultimate control.

I have received some emails/messages from folks asking if/how they can participate in some way with the project. There will be some opportunities for those interested in spending some time out at the island to work on conservation projects and even some limited access to go down with the divers in the kelp beds, based on diving experience and ongoing work at the time.

I will post more about that in the coming months...

BajaBlanca - 6-7-2011 at 03:34 PM

wow !!!! great news !!!! and I bet your jaw did just about fall off as it was so unexpected !! congratulations - you most certainly deserve the much needed cash after putting so much effort into the project !!

Bajahowodd - 6-7-2011 at 05:55 PM

The otters will be peeed! :lol:

Seriously. I applaud you and your efforts. :yes:

[Edited on 6-8-2011 by Bajahowodd]

Udo - 6-7-2011 at 05:58 PM

Just noticed the post, Ron...again, felicidades!
Let us know if you'll be home between December 21 to December 31 of this year>

BajaGringo - 6-7-2011 at 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Udo
Just noticed the post, Ron...again, felicidades!
Let us know if you'll be home between December 21 to December 31 of this year>

Send me a u2 as we get closer to the date and we'll make plans. I look forward to it!

wilderone - 6-10-2011 at 08:18 AM

Wonderful! Best of luck to you

Hook - 6-10-2011 at 08:47 AM

Really great news! I wish you great success in this.

BajaGringo - 6-10-2011 at 09:58 AM

Thanks again guys. The award has brought additional attention to our project and we have been contacted by a lot of folks in the last few days wanting to help/participate. Many seemed to think this was just a project on paper and were surprised to learn that we have been moving this forward for some time now. We have already obtained the federal concession for San Martin Island where we have built several support facilities and now have around the clock staff and security posted. We are about 50% completed with the construction of the onshore staging area from where we will manage the entire operation.

Really looking forward to the event on Monday...

Eli - 6-10-2011 at 11:46 AM

It does my heart good to read about your most positive efforts. I wish You all the luck in the world in continuing your path of success. Saludos, Sara

I Can't Even Express How Happy I Am

Gypsy Jan - 6-10-2011 at 04:52 PM

I remember when you could snorkel off Catalina Island and harvest an abalone lunch (you had to be careful of the wasps when you were pounding out the filets).

I wish you much success and a whole new future for the aquaculture.

GJ

Steve in Oro Valley - 6-10-2011 at 07:29 PM

Hola!

I have loved the abalone (haliotis) that I have tried since the 1970s...

However, I have urped them up within about 8 hours every time .. this includes the abalone I tried in Tucson and Ensenada ...

The last time I tried abalone was in about 1983 in Ensenada at Haliotis Restaurant...

Do I have an alergic reaction to these wonderful bottom creatures or have I just been unlucky?

Steve in Oro Valley

BajaGringo - 6-10-2011 at 07:33 PM

You may have gotten some bad abalone or you may just have some allergic reaction. Hard to say but the simple statistics tell me you should probably stay away from them.

I get the same reaction from Dominoes Pizza...

And today we received the check...

BajaGringo - 6-13-2011 at 08:45 PM

Reyes, the true inspiration and driving energy behind this project accepted the check from Baja Governor Osuna Millan and Tijuana Mayor Bustamante, who hosted the great event at the new Museo El Trompo. The governor told us afterwards that he would like to come down and make a personal tour of the project.

I think he just wants to get some free seafood...

:lol:

[Edited on 6-14-2011 by BajaGringo]

JESSE - 6-13-2011 at 09:29 PM

So, when can we get some abalone??

BajaGringo - 6-13-2011 at 09:36 PM

2016

JESSE - 6-13-2011 at 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaGringo
2016

Ok, i am 1st on the list then.

BajaGringo - 6-14-2011 at 07:29 AM

Better hurry, we got a couple of guys from China already trying to buy up the first couple of years production...

:lol:

You know...

Dave - 6-14-2011 at 07:35 AM

You could throw onehellofaparty with 1/2 a million bucks. Invite all your BajaNomad buddies. I doubt you'd get into too much troubles.

Just Sayin'.

BajaGringo - 6-14-2011 at 07:49 AM

Tempting Dave, extremely tempting.

:lol:

The problem is that the way the grant works is we actually have to sign an IOU for the funds along with a signed agreement. If we can show that the money was indeed invested into the project, the IOU is not only canceled, we will qualify for two additional state grants for the project.

Dave - 6-14-2011 at 08:05 AM

Sounds like you're in need of a good, creative bookkeeper. :rolleyes:

DianaT - 6-14-2011 at 08:21 AM

Really excited for you and your partners!!

BajaGringo - 6-14-2011 at 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dave
Sounds like you're in need of a good, creative bookkeeper. :rolleyes:

The governor asked Reyes how long until the first seedings of abalone would be ready to harvest. Maybe we just need to keep the governor well fed and happy...

DENNIS - 6-14-2011 at 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dave
Sounds like you're in need of a good, creative bookkeeper. :rolleyes:

Just a larger cooler. SALUD

BajaBlanca - 6-14-2011 at 01:53 PM

sooooooooooooooooo cool. really fantastic. ask the gov'ner to recommend an accountant ... I'm just sayin'.......

JESSE - 6-14-2011 at 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaGringo
Better hurry, we got a couple of guys from China already trying to buy up the first couple of years production...

:lol:

P-nches chinos!!!

Money Talks!

Bajahowodd - 6-14-2011 at 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JESSE

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaGringo
Better hurry, we got a couple of guys from China already trying to buy up the first couple of years production...

:lol:

p-nches chinos!!!

MsTerieus - 6-18-2011 at 03:20 PM

Wow -- congratulations Ron! (It's the first time I've signed onto the site in over 5 months, and I'm very pleased to read such good news!)

BajaGringo - 6-18-2011 at 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MsTerieus
Wow -- congratulations Ron! (It's the first time I've signed onto the site in over 5 months, and I'm very pleased to read such good news!)

Thanks and welcome back...

BajaGringo - 7-24-2012 at 08:00 PM

This morning we made our first of what will become weekly plants of abalone out at San Martin Island. It was a small step that took years of work, preparation and investment to get to this stage. We are very, very excited!

You can see more photos at our facebook page

Thanks to all the Nomads who have supported and follow this project!

Mexitron - 7-25-2012 at 06:04 AM

That's fantastic BajaGringo---congrats!

Hey Dick...

EnsenadaDr - 7-25-2012 at 06:47 AM

Tricky Dick sneaking in here and sneaking back out...by the way, what happened to the weather girl, Dick? OK OK, so you decided to take her out for a date instead?
Quote:
Originally posted by KASHEYDOG
Congratulations Ron. I'm happy for you and all the people that this project will help throughout Baja. It's a great endeavor you have taken on. Keep up the wonderful work.......

Dick

[Edited on 6-7-11 by KASHEYDOG]

BajaBlanca - 7-25-2012 at 09:15 AM

Ron - I am confused ... La Bocana fishing co-op has been harvesting the abalone for all the 6 years we have been here ...... they grow them from tiny tiny to bigger and then put them in the ocean for the last couple years. Is this not the same procedure you are doing ? Noc omprende la machina (our local joke when someone has no clue what is going on LOL)

BajaGringo - 7-25-2012 at 09:26 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaBlanca
Ron - I am confused ... La Bocana fishing co-op has been harvesting the abalone for all the 6 years we have been here ...... they grow them from tiny tiny to bigger and then put them in the ocean for the last couple years. Is this not the same procedure you are doing ? Noc omprende la machina (our local joke when someone has no clue what is going on LOL)

Blanca - the once thriving abalone population here that was taken out in truckloads for decades has diminished to nearly zero. We are cultivating a percentage of our abalone population for reseeding the long lost native colonies that used to cover every rock around. We have been given the federal concession out at San Quintin Island where we have now begun to reseed the abalone population. They will be protected from harvesting and we have been given authorization to have armed security on the island as well as share a frequency with the Mexican navy who will provide support from a post they are soon to establish on the island with us.

The difference is that we are attempting to recolonize the native species, not exploit them.

BajaBlanca - 7-25-2012 at 09:36 AM

capiche ! what a fab location, I just saw the pics on facebook. honorable endeavor !

durrelllrobert - 7-26-2012 at 11:04 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Osprey
Ron, that's great news indeed. Congratulations. The timing is not good. The project dovetails with my sea otter introduction project.

The Sea Otter is the reason that there are few large abs in northern CA anymore. They eat them before they ever get close to legal size.

BajaGringo - 7-30-2012 at 01:50 PM

On Friday we were contacted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) who have expressed interest in looking at a joint venture to farm / reseed white abalone into the Pacific coastline. White abalone has been classified as an endangered species.

My guess is that this will bring some interesting visitors to our project. Will keep you updated...

Russ - 7-30-2012 at 02:43 PM

This is good news. The more attention you get the happier the investors will be.
Viva abalon

watizname - 7-31-2012 at 07:55 AM

Very good news. It's rare that anything has a chance to make a comeback. Good luck with this.