GET TO
KNOW US
Aqunion is one of the world’s leading abalone businesses and a pioneer of the South African abalone industry. Through the coming together of a fisheries and aquaculture business, what started as a venture focused on wild-caught abalone in 1960 developed into a mission to not only protect the South African abalone species, but also pioneer ways to keep sharing its unique taste with the world — in the most sustainable ways possible.
About us
Aqunion is one of the world’s leading abalone farming businesses. A union of three well-known South African abalone businesses (Roman Bay Sea Farm, Aquafarm Development and SPP Canning). Find out more about our history, business philosophy, leadership team and operations.
OUR History
Aqunion offers a full aquaculture value chain, including abalone farming, processing, marketing and export of both wild and farmed South African abalone. Read more about our 20 years of history.
Our Philosophy
We are hands-on farmers first who have developed into a mature organisation over many years. We understand the modern marketplace and always strive to develop meaningful long-term relationships with our customers.
OPERATIONS
Aqunion’s farming and processing operations are located in the beautiful coastal towns of Gansbaai and Hermanus.
Farms
Learn more about our different farms, where we breed our abalone.
Processing
See where our abalone is processed into products for export.
MARKETING &
LOGISTICS
Our customer-focused marketing approach has seen us forge lasting relationships with key customers.
OUR TEAM
John (Jonty) Jankovich-Besan – CA(SA)
Chief Executive Officer
Jonty has over 30 years of broad industry and leadership experience across both finance and operations, having built his career initially based in the UK for fourteen years, working across a number of industries including Airlines, Consulting, International mobile, fixed-line and broadband telecoms, before returning to South Africa in 2009. Based in South Africa since then, Jonty spent a few years in Business Restructure before joining the International fishing and aquaculture industry, serving as Managing Director at Irvin and Johnson (I&J), a division of the AVI Group. In addition to leading the Aquion Aquaculture Group, Jonty sits on the Sea Harvest Group Exco, is a Board member of Marshall Monteagle PLC and is the Chairman of the Harvest Sector CEO Council.
Jacques du Plessis – B.Sc(QS)
Chief Commercial Officer
Jacques has over 25 years of abalone aquaculture, marketing, project management and leadership experience. He started his career as a professional quantity surveyor in 1996 and was based in South America prior to returning to South Africa when he joined Aqunion in 2000. Jacques has a great affinity for the Asian culture, having lived in the region for three years during which time his focus was that of building Aqunion’s markets and business network.
Rowan Yearsley – M.Aq
Chief Operations Officer
Rowan is the Chief Operations Officer of Aqunion. He completed a Master's degree in Aquaculture in 2007 and began employment with the company in 2008. Combining a solid understanding of Aquaculture principles with extensive practical experience in various positions Rowan manages the company's farming, ranching and processing sites.
Iain Bennie – CA(SA)
Head of Finance
Iain is a seasoned and accomplished Chartered Accountant with over two decades of diverse finance experience, he brings a proven track record of strategic financial leadership, operational excellence, and value creation across multiple industries. His broad financial experience, sharp analytical mindset, and creative approach to navigating change and complexity have resulted in vital skills as a leader and financial executive.