Edible Treasure: New Zealand's Paua

Paua is New Zealand's most popular species. Paua have taken on the nickname of "Sea Opal. Paua are treasured for the exquisite priceless pieces of jewelry produced from their shells and the delicious meat that in some countries is known as a delicacy. Polished Paua shells are popular souvenirs in New Zealand. If you were to visit New Zealand you could venture out to take a look at the carvings made by Maori ,the indigenous people of New Zealand. In their amazing carvings, the paua is traditionally used to make the eyes of the ancestors that "gazed down from the midnight sky" or the shells were placed in the art design to appear as the stars.

Paua are the most peculiar huge, slow moving shellfish. They are most commonly found drifting in shallow, cool, blue, waters of the South Pacific. It is one of the 100 species of abalones found in the whole world. Abalone's are like large edible sea snails. Common names for them include ear shells or sea-ears. In Australia another name is muttonfish or mutton shells. (wikipedia, Abalone, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abalone).

The Magnificent Colors

What makes Paua amazing is the hidden interior shell of the creature though it looks like your average shellfish on the outside. Its dull and grayish toned hard outer shell has lime deposits and miniscule marine creatures surrounding it. Inside of the shell are the abalone's secret. Iridescent, rainbow hues are on the interior of the shell. Hints of bold lavenders, hot purples, shades of vibrant pinks, oranges, neon blues, sea greens, soft yellows, with sparkles of gold and silver adorn this creature. The miracle inside the shell comes about through layers of alternating protein and calcium build up that retract iridescent colors the same way opals do. Opals are iridescent in color as well. Opals range in a variety of hues from white, gray & black to your reds, oranges, blues, magentas, slates, olives & browns. Opals are Australia's national gem. It is no wonder the Paua earned its nickname as a sea opal. One expert of Paua believes the colors generate from the nutrients in the ocean waters that are different colors of seaweed. (wikipedia, opal, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/opal).

Finicky Eaters

Paua are finicky eaters. They are also picky in regards to where they live in relation to their oceanic neighbors and enemies. They will not reside near the spiny sea urchin or "kina" because they both indulge and devour the same types of seaweed. They really have to maintain a distance from their dreaded enemy the starfish. A starfish's presence represents danger to the paua. The crafty- acting starfish puts its tentacle along the line of the paua's breathing holes that are on the side of its outer shell. This suffocates the paua to death. When the paua falls off its stable, rocky home, the starfish being the winner of this fight eats the paua and enjoys a hearty meal. A few starfish can easily wipe out a paua colony.(Awake, Paua Opal the Sea, Watchtower Society)

Survival of Paua

To ensure the survival of Paua a quota system has been set up. Most of its meat is canned for the Asian market. Some of it is frozen then sent to Singapore and Hong Kong, where the meat is a luxury food. Paua is sliced up sushi style. Though Paua is plentiful in New Zealand waters, many people from New Zealand have yet to taste its delicate meat because of the excessive demand for it overseas.Paua are gathered recreationally and commercially. There are strict catch limits for these creatures. There is a global black market in the collecting and exporting of abalone meat. Paua poaching is a major industry in New Zealand. People take thousands of them illegally. The Ministry of Fisheries and the police work together to protect Paua. Fines have been issued. People who have illegally captured these creatures have had their boats, motor vehicles, diving gear etc. seized. (wikipedia, Abalone, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abalone).

Paua, the sea opal is a work of art, with a tasty edible treat. Paua jewelry can ordered on line.www.earthtreasure.com or http://opaltreasures.rainbowdreams.com . Purchase gorgeous rings, pendants, bracelets, bangles, earrings etc. What an amazing and gift for women and teenage girls.