A South African fishing company is to farm perlemoen (abalone) in the fjords of southern Chile in a joint venture with a technology-based company from the South American country.
I&J announced on Sunday that the species to be farmed — red abalone — was different to that of the South African variety, with a different colour and a different taste.
”I&J will make an initial capital investment of around $2-million in the establishment of the abalone farm,” said a press release.
”[The Chilean partner] Fundacion Chile will contribute value by way of cash, existing assets, technology and know-how related to the grow-out of red abalone.”
Aquaculture activities to farm the abalone in Chile include seed production, grow-out, production, processing and commercialisation, the release said.
”It is anticipated that after three years the farm will be producing 147 tons of red abalone for export.”
I&J’s managing director Roy Gordon said that the deal was part of a wider agreement covering aquaculture research and development on a variety of seafood species which would provide added momentum to the company’s ambitions in aquaculture. – Sapa