SA Slashes Abalone Catch for 2025/26 Amid Crisis, Moves to Tighten Trade

In a decisive and urgent move to halt the collapse of one of South Africa's most overexploited marine resources, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has set the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for the 2025/26 abalone season at a mere 12.01 tons, continuing a stringent conservation approach. The measure follows clear scientific evidence showing the abalone population remains in critical decline.

Science-Driven Measures: TAC Decision Grounded in Data

The decision, announced by Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, was informed by extensive data from the Abalone Scientific Working Group. This expert body analysed Catch-Per-Unit-Effort (CPUE) indices, fishery-independent surveys, and updated estimates of illegal harvesting up to 2025.

The results are alarming: abalone densities in Zones A to D range between just 0.02 to 0.07 individuals per square metre, far below sustainable levels. Consequently, the TAC in these zones will remain at zero, while significant reductions are enforced in Zones E to G.

"This precautionary reduction 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," said Minister George.

Illegal Harvesting: The Driving Force Behind Decline

A major contributor to the species' precarious status is rampant poaching. In 2023 alone, over 13.85 million abalone were harvested illegally, undermining both conservation and the livelihoods of legal abalone fishers.

Poaching syndicates, often linked to international crime networks, traffic high volumes of dried abalone to overseas markets, particularly in East Asia where demand remains strong and prices high. This illicit trade has long outpaced South Africa's enforcement capacity, even as authorities continue to conduct raids, seizures, and arrests.

CITES Appendix II Listing: A Strategic International Shift

To counter this threat, the department will move to list dried abalone under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This listing requires that all international trade in dried abalone be subject to strict permit regulations.

"Poaching syndicates thrive on the illegal international trade in dried abalone, and this listing will close critical loopholes in global enforcement," George noted.

This means customs authorities worldwide will now be empowered to:

• Monitor trade flows through enhanced documentation,

• Seize illicit consignments lacking permits,

• Coordinate enforcement efforts across borders.

The move marks a shift from a solely domestic enforcement focus to a globally supported regulatory system, aimed at choking off international demand for poached abalone.

Balancing Conservation With Community Survival

While the drastic reduction in legal abalone harvesting will preserve the species from ecological collapse, it comes at a high socio-economic cost for coastal communities that rely on abalone as a primary income source.

The government acknowledges this tension. According to DFFE, long-term survival of both the species and the industry can only be guaranteed if current over-exploitation is addressed with urgency. By combining local enforcement with international trade controls, the strategy aims to protect marine biodiversity while preserving legal, sustainable fishing opportunities in the years to come.

"By regulating this high-value product, we aim to reduce demand for illicit abalone, protect our marine biodiversity, and support the long-term viability of coastal communities dependent on sustainable fisheries," George said.

Looking Ahead: Restoration and Monitoring

In the coming year, the DFFE will continue to:

• Tighten enforcement at both sea and land borders,

• Invest in marine monitoring and surveillance capacity,

• Support coastal livelihoods through alternative income programs,

• Strengthen interagency cooperation with global partners to trace and block trade in illegal abalone.

A Warning and a Promise

The 2025/26 TAC decision is both a warning to illicit actors and a promise to future generations. Without decisive action, South Africa's abalone — once abundant along its shores — could disappear entirely. But through collaborative, science-backed, and globally enforced action, its recovery is still within reach.