Fisheries Minister Dion George has set the total allowable abalone catch for this financial year at just over twelve tons.

The drastic cut follows new scientific evidence showing abalone populations are at less than 2% of their original levels, with near-zero densities recorded along much of the coast.

George says the move is part of a broader effort to curb poaching and close international trade loopholes.

“The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, had taken decisive action to protect South Africa’s abalone industry. Scientific evidence has shown that stocks have collapsed to less than 2% of their actual levels. We have reduced the total allowable catch and will move to list dried abalone under SITIES, to shut down the international trade that fuels poaching.”

MEDIA STATEMENT

MINISTER GEORGE TAKES DECISIVE ACTION TO SECURE FUTURE OF SOUTH AFRICA’S ABALONE FISHERY

28 October 2025

The 2025/26 abalone Total Allowable Catch (TAC) has been set at 12.01 tons, based on irrefutable scientific evidence of stock collapse. Updated assessments… pic.twitter.com/pwOVoyM1iD

— Environmentza (@environmentza) October 28, 2025