The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DAFF) announced a way to close the loophole exploited by syndicates, in the catch and trade of abalone.
This is done through restricted catch, announced by Dr Dion George, the Minister of DAFF, on Wednesday this week.
The total allowed catch will be 12 tons of abalone, in line with Sections 2 and 14 of the Marine Living Resources Act and a High Court ruling to recover depleted stocks.
In addition South Africa is planning to propose the listing of dried abalone, on Cites Appendix 2.
This means every dried abalone will require a Cites export permit.
This will allow for better trade flow, and customs authorities to seize illegal consignments.
Scientists estimate about 13,85 million abalone were caught illegally in 2023.
As a result, stocks have declined sharply, at between 71-77% in one zone and are literally at zero in another Zone A -D.
George said “this precaution is not taken lightly. It reflects our legal and moral duty to act on the best scientific advice and to prevent the complete collapse of this resource.”