Wednesday   July 26, 2000   06:14 PM

Sincerely I don't think that population of Oliva porphyria
is decreasing in its whole habitat.
It is possible that where this shell is usually collect some
sub-populations might show a drop in number.

But, as I was personally able to observe, along the coast of
Baja California ( Sea of Cortez side ) the population of
Oliva porphyria seems to be normal and mollusks with a shell
over 100 mm are not so rare.

But these populations usually are far off the coast and about from
6 to 10 fathoms in depth.

I met a Mexican who collected the porphyria by a very long
flexible tube to breathe. The tube was connected to a compressor
on the boat. Surely it was a hard job but well recompensed.

Ciao to all from a very hot Italy,

Maurizio.
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       Maurizio A. Perini
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