THE IDEAL ENVIRONMENT
The pristine quality and ideal temperature of the ocean at Danger Point, along with an abundant supply of local nutrients, make this an ideal location for our farm.
I&J was one of the first abalone farms in South Africa to institute an integrated bio-filtration system in which over 7.2 million litres per hour of crystal clear water
are drawn from the sea and circulated through the farm. Water quality entering the farm is regularly monitored to ensure it is always absolutely clean.
SUSTAINABLE & INTEGRATED AQUACULTURE
Our world-class team of marine biologists and engineers have integrated the world’s most advanced aquaculture systems to recreate
the natural environment and perfected the technique of growing premium quality Cape Abalone. This has been achieved through
pioneering research and development as well as tightly controlled breeding programmes that closely copies nature.
OUR SECRET INGREDIENT: PURE, NATURAL FEED
Ours was the first abalone farm in South Africa to feed a natural diet of specially cultivated micro-organisms. The feed consists mainly
of locally harvested kelp and Ulva seaweed that we grow in wastewater from the farm. The Ulva seaweed draws nutrients from
the wastewater, so that by the time the water is returned to the ocean it has been completely cleaned.
THE OTHER INGREDIENT: PATIENCE
Haliotis midae is a slow growing species, taking up to ten years to mature. The cycle begins in the hatchery, where the adults spawn.
The tiny larvae are moved to nursery tanks. There they mature into spat, and from there, the best young abalone are moved to grow-out tanks,
where they are fed on Ulva seaweed. Once they reach commercial size, they are selected for either live export
(packed directly at the farm) or sent to our processing facility for further processing.
RESPONSIBLE FARMING
Our abalone farm at Danger Point was the first abalone farm in Africa and the second in the world to receive Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) accreditation for responsible aquaculture. The ASC logo, displayed on our products, certifies that I&J products have met the ASC’s global standard for responsibly farmed seafood.
A PIONEER IN ABALONE AQUACULTURE
As far back as 1910, Irvin and Johnson or I&J, has been a world leader in catching, processing and marketing of a large variety of fish species.
Innovation has been part of I&J’s DNA from the beginning. That same spirit is evident in our entry into abalone farming and continues
to drive us to lead the way today. Here’s how it all began:
A prophetic land purchase
287 hectares of land is purchased by I&J on the coastal areas of Gansbaai, called Danger Point, about 200 km southeast of Cape Town.
Wild abalone harvesting in Walker Bay
Walker Bay Canners (Pty) Ltd is incorporated,
with Brian Lockwood McFarlane as the sole
Director. The Company leases premises in the
New Harbour, Hermanus.
I&J takes over
The shares held by the McFarlane family in Walker
Bay Canners are transferred to Irvin & Johnson Ltd.
Irvin & Johnson’s name is submitted as the tenant
in respect of the premises in the New Harbour,
Hermanus. The license to deal in abalone is also
endorsed over to Irvin & Johnson Ltd.
Research into abalone aquaculture
Irvin & Johnson Ltd co-sponsor a research project
by the Department of Zoology at the University of
Cape Town to investigate the cultivation of abalone
in a controlled environment through marine
aquaculture.
Groundbreaking for the farm
Following the research carried out in conjunction
with the University of Cape Town and the Sea
Fisheries Research Institute, I&J begins developing
a R5 million abalone farm at Danger Point.
The farm takes shape
The first lab and buildings are completed in 1994.
1995 sees the start of farming trials.
Commercial export begins
Following successful trials of abalone farming
and exporting, I&J undertakes its first commercial
export of live abalone. The farm allows the
company to take advantage of demand for
South African abalone in the Far East and
alleviates pressure on wild abalone resources.
Canned abalone goes global
I&J begins to market canned abalone in the Far East.
Upliftment
I&J supports an initiative by the Department of
Environmental Affairs and Tourism to uplift the
coastal community of Buffeljags, near Gansbaai.
I&J assists members of the community to harvest
kelp for its Danger Point abalone farm.
Demand grows
Capex approved for infrastructure expansion of the
abalone farm from 300 tons to 600 tons a year.
A first in sustainability
Our abalone farm at Danger Point becomes the first
abalone farm in Africa and the second in the world
to receive ASC accreditation for responsible
aquaculture.
Capacity doubles
Infrastructure expansion to 600 tons production
per year is completed; the abalone farm becomes a
wholly owned subsidiary of I&J and I&J Aquaculture
Pty Ltd is registered.
New premium look
I&J Cape abalone’s image is refreshed in order to
position this precious resource as the number one,
luxury golden standard from South Africa.