The heart of abalone
“In 1984 my dad, Dr Pierre Hugo, a veterinarian based in Hermanus, began experimenting with breeding abalone in tanks on land,” says Johan Hugo, the founder of Heart of Abalone. “The first hatchery was started by him and based in the Old Harbour. I remember how, as a child, my brother and I carried buckets of sea water up to the tanks. All sorts of things were scavenged from the kitchen to see what the perlemoen loved to eat.” Johan made the move to establish Heart of Abalone after a career change as Abagold’s Head of Finance, the company that his dad established in 1995. Heart of Abalone is a tourism company that provides and specialises in abalone tours celebrating one of the most loved ocean gems and the achievements of Abagold. Johan says that Heart of Abalone has a formal arrangement with Abagold and Mean Sea Level (currently involved with construction of the first wave energy convertor in South Africa) to allow tour groups to pass through their facilities. Heart of Abalone is located at one of Abagold’s farms in the New Harbour and its venue sits neatly perched amongst the large technical infrastructure which supports the 40 000 odd baskets that house approximately 10 000 000 abalone at any given time. The Alcatraz-like security measures now make more sense to me. Upon arrival you are greeted by a beautifully equipped Heart Shed which forms the base and starting point of all three tours available to the public. Large infographic boards reflect how abalone stock was depleted over the years, the many steps there are in raising abalone, and the lifespan and growth rate of this unique creature. The abalone pressed up against the large display tank inside the venue seems innocent enough. Johan explains what the creature actually looks like, referring to a close-up “selfie” of the snail. Cute it will never be, with its odd shaped mouth and googly eyes. Anzel du Plessis, who is keen to share her extensive knowledge of the farm and perlemoen with visitors, conducts the guided tours Monday through to Saturday at 11am and 3pm.
The technical tour lets you delve even deeper, and affords mechanic and techno enthusiasts a chance to view all the pumps, engines, infrastructure and renewable energy projects by Mean Sea Level. As an optional extra, guests can savour a tasting after the tour. This includes abalone prepared three ways. The three elements of the tasting are an abalone carpaccio dressed with an olive oil infused black sea-weed caviar, an abalone ceviche dressed with fresh micro leaves, dashi (natural salty flavour), black pepper, black sesame seeds and olive oil. Lastly, the Abalone pearls are served; this is a
Anzel du Plessis shows visitors all the various aspects of abalone farming. small whole abalone served Asian style with a Chinese sticky juice of reduced duck feet and pork knuckle. According to Johan the Heart Shed also boasts a shop where visitors can buy polished shells, abalone pearls, perlemoen inspired jewellery by Ralph Walton Jewellery Design, recipes and canned abalone. “I am passionate about tourism, conservation and sustainability. I would like to see our footprint grow; more people visiting is our main challenge at this stage. People do not necessarily search for abalone tours in Hermanus as they are not aware of it – they are more familiar with our other marine life such as the great whites and whales.
“We work hard with Cape Town and Hermanus Tourism, as well as accommodation establishments across the Overstrand. School groups of all ages are most welcome; a small bucket filled with food is given to them so that they too can be part of the feeding of the perlemoen.” Johan has also made contact with DAFF (Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries) and logged a formal application with them requesting that they give him permission to re-seed fertilised larvae and/or spats (baby abalone) back into the sea. “This is obviously something that needs to be controlled and regulated and I envisage
working closely with them to reach a point where this is possible. DAFF’s initial response is very positive and I trust that in due course they will share my ‘heart’ for creating a conservation effort for this endangered species.” Megan Smith Tours Monday to Saturday: 11am and 3pm Abalone tour: R100 (35 minutes) Farm tour: R150 (1 hour and 20 minutes) Technical tour: R150 (1 hour and 20 minutes) Special tasting: R150 To book Call: 083 556 3428 Email: info@heartofabalone.co.za Website: www.heartofabalone.com
Die lekkerste biltong en droëwors in die Overberg!
028 313 1032 Swartdamweg Industriële gebied
Ma-Don 08:00 - 17:30 / Vry 08:00 - 18:00 Sat 08:00 - 14:00 / Son 09:00 - 12:00
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Tel: 028 316 2348 Closed Mondays Open Tues to Sat from 11:30 to late and Sun 11:30 to 15:00 Sections 4 - 6 Hemel-en-Aarde Village
We also cater for all functions, including weddings, birthday parties, baby showers & year-end functions.
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The abalone tour focuses on the history, life cycle and farming industry. The farm tour allows you to truly experience firsthand the farming industry by navigating your way through the labyrinth of tanks, all while sporting a fabulous pair of white gum boots to meet with safety and bio security standards. See the day-to-day running of the abalone industry and how basic feeding and care is given to the newborns right through to, as Johan says, “oumas” (brood stock).