HONOLULU » A research team has returned from research in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands with new information on opihi reproduction.

Scientists with the team that returned Tuesday say they gathered evidence that female opihi live higher on the rocky shore than male opihi. This discovery will help when considering restoration of opihi habitat in populated areas such as Oahu.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says the information gathered at the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument will help lead to better management of the highly sought-after delicacy.

Consumers pay a premium for the small limpets that cling to rocks in high surf, making them dangerous to harvest. There have been calls to restrict harvesting in response to concern about dwindling supply.