Article by Kotie Geldenhuys
Photos/images courtesy of FreePik
On a Cape Town beach, four poachers disguised as picnickers carefully navigate granite boulders, carrying a cooler to conceal their intent. Taking a bold risk in a highly visible area, they aim to locate untouched abalone beds near the bustling shoreline. Three men don wetsuits while the fourth keeps watch. They wade into the icy waters, diving into kelp forests using metal levers to pry elusive abalone from openings between the rocks. Hidden from the beachgoers, the scene reflects a dire reality: abalone, a sought-after marine delicacy, is vanishing rapidly from South African shores, driven to the brink of extinction by relentless exploitation and greed.
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[This is only an extract of an article that is published in Servamus: March 2025. This article is available for purchase.]