Biosecurity & Animal Health

HIK Abalone Farm makes use of a professional veterinary service to routinely analyse stock health. Stock health is assessed every two months, at which time various physiological factors are monitored and reported. In addition, operational staff are trained to perform monthly internal health audits on abalone of every age group, thus providing management with an early indication of potential health issues. HIK’s stock health ranks among the best in the industry, and staff make every effort to maintain this trend. At HIK, staff understand the importance of general hygiene and sanitation procedures.

HIK has implemented a comprehensive biosecurity program to protect stock from diseases or pests. Typical biosecurity measures include: water filtration, age separation, optimal water and air supply, disinfection of hands and boots upon entering the farm and high levels of internal health surveillance.

The biosecurity program is supplemented by a government driven food safety component called the “Shellfish sanitation program” whereby incoming seawater and abalone flesh samples are routinely monitored for disease causing bacteria and biotoxins (PSP, DSP and ASP). In addition, incoming seawater is screened for biotoxin producing phytoplankton on a daily basis.