Abalone

Scientific name

Haliotus midae

Other names

Perlemoen

Fishing method

Hand collected

Area of capture

South Africa

SASSI colour

Orange

Summary

Catches of abalone (Haliotis midae) have declined fairly steadily since the mid-1960s and the prognosis for the stock of abalone in South Africa is pessimistic given the current scale of illegal harvests. The distribution of abalone along the South African coast is divided into 7 zones; out of these, only two can be considered overfished while the remaining five are classified as fully fished. Abalone are endemic residents, and quite slow growing, taking 8-10 years to reach sexual maturity. Abalone hand collection is highly selective and has low amounts of undesirable catch; however the distinct communities of organisms living on the shell of the abalone are automatically landed along with it. The fishing method is not destructive to benthic habitat or benthic species when diving for abalone. If the collection method takes place during low water spring tides, some damage may be caused to the benthic habitat from walking and dragging baskets and sacks over it. The fishery for abalone was closed in 2007 due to severe depletion of the stock. A partial reopening of the stock is planned in 2010. It was managed in terms of a TAC (Total Allowable Catch). The impact poaching has had on a local level represents significant obstacles for successful fisheries management.

For more information, email us at sassi@wwf.org.za.