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Thank you for taking an interest in The Abalone Farm. Established in 1968, we are the largest and oldest producer of California Red Abalone in the U.S. Look for our products under the brand name Ocean RoseŽ.
The Abalone Farm is located on Estero Bay; south of Hearst Castle on the Central California Coast.
The intake pipes carry seawater up the cliff to the farm's water distribution facility.
A series of filters is used to maintain water clarity and quality before it is pumped to the abalone tanks.
Production begins with selected abalone brood stock. Abalone are broadcast spawners which means they spawn like fish. The eggs and sperm are released into the water where fertilization occurs.
The baby abalone hatch from tiny microscopic eggs in only 24 hours. At this stage they are barely visible to the naked eye.
The baby abalone remain in the nursery tanks for at least 8 months where they feed on algae and grow to the size of your fingernail. A high flow rate of seawater and heavy aeration simulate their natural environment.
At 8mm in shell length, the abalone are transferred to floating baskets in outdoor concrete tanks. At this stage of growth, the abalone begin feeding on kelp.
Kelp is collected by our custom built harvesting boat. It is a very nutritious food source for the abalone. Protecting and preserving the kelp resource is important and necessary.
Within 2 years, the abalone are 1.5" to 2" in shell length.
The abalone are then moved from the floating baskets to concrete grow-out tanks. The farm has over 700 of these tanks.
Abalone require pristine conditions to grow. In fact, abalone are used as an indicating species for water quality studies to test for pollution.
After 4-5 years, the abalone are 3.5" to 4.5" in shell length. This is considered the market size for cultured abalone since their natural growth rate in the wild and on a farm becomes even slower after 5 years.
The abalone are weighed and carefully packed for overnight shipment. Our packaging method insures that the abalone arrive in good condition at their destination.
Our live abalone are shipped to specialized seafood distributors. Held in seawater tanks, the live abalone are sold to the finest sushi bars and Oriental restaurants.
A small portion of the crop is selected to be cleaned and tenderized as abalone steaks.
The classic pan fried abalone steak was once common in many West Coast seafood restaurants. Now it is considered gourmet cuisine, available in only the finest white tablecloth restaurants. Pictured above: the 1 lb abalone steak gift pack available direct from our farm to you!
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