WATCH: Partly community-owned abalone farm starting to thrive

Abalone, commonly known as “perlemoen”, is a critically endangered species.

Since the early 2000s, thousands of tonnes of abalone have been poached from South Africa’s coast.

It is a highly valued delicacy in China, which primarily imports abalone from South Africa.

The Doring Bay Abalone Farm started in 2013 and is partly community-owned.

The farm started with just eight employees. Now it employs over 50 community members, and produces 60 tonnes of abalone each year.

NOW READ: Suspect arrested in the Western Cape with more than R9 million worth of abalone

This article first appeared on GroundUp and was republished with permission. Read the original article here.