Haliotis midae · Western Cape, South Africa
South African Abalone
Haliotis midae — known locally as perlemoen — is the indigenous abalone of South Africa's cold West Coast. At Doring Bay we cultivate this species in pumped ocean seawater for three to five years, the same patient timeline the animal would take in the wild, producing a firm-textured, clean-flavoured shellfish prized in Cantonese and Japanese kitchens.
Origin & species
Haliotis midae is the largest of the five abalone species native to South Africa and the only one farmed commercially. Our farm sits on the West Coast at Doring Bay, where the cold Benguela current delivers nutrient-rich seawater year-round — the same conditions the species evolved in.
Cultivation
Each animal is graded by eye multiple times during its three-to-five-year grow-out. Stocking densities are kept low and feed is built around sustainably harvested kelp. Slow growth in cold water is what gives the meat its characteristic density — there are no shortcuts.
Sustainability & traceability
Wild perlemoen populations are under severe pressure from poaching and are protected under CITES Appendix III. Land-based farming removes that pressure entirely: every Doring Bay animal is born, raised, and harvested on site, and every export consignment ships with CITES documentation and full chain-of-custody traceability.
Formats
We finish the harvest in three formats: live in shell for restaurants that prefer to prepare the animal themselves; vacuum-pouched, slow-cooked and ready to plate; and traditionally dried for the heritage market. Every format is graded shell by shell.
Frequently asked
What species of abalone is farmed at Doring Bay?
Doring Bay cultivates Haliotis midae, the indigenous South African abalone (locally known as perlemoen). It is the largest of South Africa's five abalone species and the only one farmed commercially.
How long does South African abalone take to grow?
Wild Haliotis midae can take 8–10 years to reach harvest size. At Doring Bay we grow each animal for three to five years in cold Benguela seawater, hand-grading throughout, to develop the firm texture and clean flavour the species is known for.
Is farmed South African abalone sustainable?
Yes. Land-based abalone farming on the West Coast removes pressure from wild stocks, which are severely threatened by poaching. Doring Bay uses pumped West Coast seawater, kelp-based feed, and CITES-traceable export documentation on every consignment.
How is Doring Bay abalone different from wild-caught perlemoen?
Farmed abalone is legal, traceable, and consistent in size and quality. Wild perlemoen harvesting is heavily restricted under CITES Appendix III and the vast majority of wild product on the market is illegally poached.
What forms is the abalone sold in?
Live in shell, vacuum-pouched (slow-cooked, ready to plate), and traditionally dried. Each format is hand-graded and packed for export to restaurants and distributors worldwide.