Haliotis midae

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Haliotis midae, known as the South African abalone or perlemoen, is a large sea snail in the abalone family. It is found only in the coastal waters of South Africa and has faced drastic declines due to overfishing and poaching.

Key facts
- Description: The shell is about 12–20 cm long, rounded-oval with a low spire. It has strong radiating wrinkles and 6–11 small perforations along the edge. The shell color is yellowish-grey with coral-red stains; the inside is pearly and multicolored, reddening in younger shells.
- Habitat and biology: H. midae lives in groups. Juveniles may shelter among sea urchins for protection. It is herbivorous, feeding on kelp and red and green algae.
- Distribution: Endemic to the waters off South Africa.
- Threats: Endangered due to severe overfishing and poaching driven by high demand in East Asia; about 90% of exports go to Hong Kong. Organized criminal networks have been linked to international illicit trades, causing population declines and recruitment problems.
- Conservation and law: From 2000 to 2016, large exports occurred, with many illegal exports. The species was banned from harvesting and listed under CITES and South Africa’s NEMBA, but it was later removed from those lists due to industry pressure. Today, permits are required to harvest and export perlemoen.