Abalone Poaching

Across the world Abalone is seen as a delicacy and for for only the supper rich and famous. In many of the oriental countries it is a status symbol to be able order Abalone.

However off the shores of the rugged Western Cape Coast is an increasing problem of poaching and every year the fishing season for abalone gets shorter and shorter as the number of mature abalone decrease to the point of near extinction.

The biggest threat to the abalone resource in South African are the hundreds of poachers that prowl the ocean beds stripping them of abalone. This has resulted in the recreational and commercial abalone sectors being closed in an attempt to restore the abalone population. Sadly the government as not set into place alternative employment options for the hundreds of fishermen who rely on the ocean as their only source of income thus resulting in even more poachers.

Many abalone farms have been established all over the western cape to meet the demand for abalone however poacher are attracted by high powered gangs who are smuggling the abalone to the east. They have no regard on the age, size and weight of the abalone making it extreme hard for the abalone population to mature and breed.

So if you are one the lucky ones that can afford to or the delicacy make sure that they come from a approved abalone farm and not from illegal harvesting.