“It has been going on for more than 20 years, we have not stopped it.
“For instance, if you look in the news, most of the busts occur either when you’re drying, storing or diving for it.
“I believe the solution would be to look at the marketing of abalone, how all abalone eventually reaches the consumer.
“Unfortunately, we need to decriminalise the taking of abalone from the sea, we are losing this battle,” said Van der Westhuizen.