Abalone

South African abalone stocks have collapsed spectacularly over the last 5 years. In 2000, the TAC was set at 693 tons. For the 2005/2006 season the TAC has collapsed to less than 240 tons. The collapse of abalone stocks, particularly in the Overberg region of Hawston and Hermanus, can be ascribed to reasons. First, unprecedented levels of illegal and unreported fishing since the 1990's. Second, the westward migration of lobsters has encroached on abalone habitat and have resulted in greater abalone spawning failure. Combined, these two reasons have resulted in the collapse of the commercial abalone sector and closure of the recreational abalone fishery in 2003.

On 1 February 2008 the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism indefinitely suspended the commercial abalone fishery.

TAC: 125 tons