Editing Abalone (section)

====South Africa====
There are five species endemic to South Africa, namely ''[[Haliotis parva|H. parva]]'', ''[[Haliotis spadicea|H. spadicea]]'', ''[[Haliotis queketti|H. queketti]]'' and ''[[Haliotis speciosa|H. speciosa]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-05-20 |title=South African abalone - SANBI |url=https://www.sanbi.org/animal-of-the-week/south-african-abalone/,%20https://www.sanbi.org/animal-of-the-week/south-african-abalone/ |access-date=2023-08-12 |language=en-US}}</ref>

The largest abalone in South Africa, ''[[Haliotis midae]]'', occurs along roughly two-thirds of the country's coastline. Abalone-diving has been a recreational activity for many years, but stocks are currently being threatened by [[Illegal fishing in Africa|illegal commercial harvesting]].<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Plagányi|first1=Éva|last2=Butterworth|first2=Doug|last3=Burgener|first3=Markus|date=1 January 2011|title=Illegal and unreported fishing on abalone—Quantifying the extent using a fully integrated assessment model|journal=Fisheries Research|volume=107|issue=1–3|pages=221–232|doi=10.1016/j.fishres.2010.11.005|bibcode=2011FishR.107..221P }}</ref> In South Africa, all persons harvesting this shellfish need permits that are issued annually, and no abalone may be harvested using scuba gear.

For the last few years, however, no permits have been issued for collecting abalone, but commercial harvesting still continues as does illegal collection by [[Criminal organization|syndicates]].<ref>{{harvnb|Anon|2007}}</ref>
In 2007, because of widespread [[poaching]] of abalone, the South African government listed abalone as an endangered species according to the [[CITES]] section III appendix, which requests member governments to monitor the trade in this species. This listing was removed from CITES in June 2010 by the South African government and South African abalone is no longer subject to CITES trade controls. Export permits are still required, however.
The abalone meat from South Africa is prohibited for sale in the country to help reduce poaching; however, much of the illegally harvested meat is sold in Asian countries. As of early 2008, the wholesale price for abalone meat was approximately US$40.00 per kilogram. There is an active trade in the shells, which sell for more than US$1,400 per [[tonne]].