Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Exploring the dynamics of South Africa’s illegal abalone trade via routine activities theory

Trends in Organized Crime volume 19, pages 21–41 (2016)Cite this article

Abstract

The illicit trade in African wildlife has a lengthy history with devastating effect on select species. While considerable research addresses the impact of the trade on rhinoceros and elephant, the poaching of the reptiles, birds and marine life comprises a significantly greater volume of wildlife yet receives somewhat less attention. To better understand these aspects of the illegal trade, this study focuses on abalone, a highly desired and protected shellfish found off the Western Cape of South Africa and heavily targeted by poachers to meet demand in South Africa and parts of East Asia. Relying on qualitative data from field research, this study examines the nature of the illicit trade including poachers, smuggling techniques and the challenges for enforcement of the conservation laws through the lens of routine activity theory. The results indicate that routine activities theory may provide a viable theoretical construct to better understand the nature of abalone poaching and develop solutions to the problem.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

References

  • Albanese J (2011) Transnational crime and the 21st century: criminal enterprise, corruption and opportunity. Oxford University Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Bachman R, Schutt R (2014) The practice of social research in criminology and criminal justice. Los Angeles, SAGE

    Google Scholar 

  • Beirne P, South N (2013) Issues in green criminology: confronting harms against environments, humanity and other animals. Routledge, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Broad S. Mullekin T, Roe D (2003) The nature and extent of the legal and illegal trade in wildlife. In: Oldfield S (ed) The Trade in Wildlife: Regulation for Conservation. Earthscan Publications, Ltd., London, 3--22

  • Chamley S (2005) From nature tourism to eco-tourism? The case of ngorongoro conservation area, Tanzania. Hum Organ 64(1):75–88

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen T (2012) Easy pickings for abalone smugglers. Wall Street Journal, China Real Time. Retrieved from http://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2012/03/30/easy-pickings-for-abalone-smugglers/

  • Central Intelligence Agency (2016). The World Factbook. Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/. 21 Accessed 19 Jan 2016

  • Cohen L, Felson M (1979) Social change and crime rate trends: a routine activity approach. Am Sociol Rev 44:588–608

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cornish D, Clark R (1987) Understanding crime displacement: an application of rational choice theory. Criminology 25:933–947

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Donovan, D (2013) Shooting wildlife in the heart of Africa: in some places now only with a camera. Africa watch discussion papers. Retrieved from http://www.consultancyafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=124

  • Eliason S (2011) Trophy poaching: A routine activities perspective. Deviant Behavior 33(1):72–87

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eliason S, Dodder R (1999) Techniques of neutralization used by deer poachers in the Western United States: A research note. Deviant Behavior 20:233--252

  • Felson M, Cohen L (1980) Human ecology and crime: a routine activity approach. Hum Ecol 8:389–406

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Forsyth C (1993) Chasing and catching bad-guys: the game warden’s prey. Deviant Behavior 14:209–226

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Forsyth C, Marckese, T (1993) Thrills and skills: A sociological analysis of poaching. Deviant Behavior 14:157--172

  • Frost P, Bond I (2007) The CAMPFIRE program in Zimbabwe: payments for wildlife services. Ecol Econ 65:776–787

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garcia M (2008) The design and evaluation of physical protection systems, 2nd edn. Elsevier, San Francisco, CA

    Google Scholar 

  • Gastrow P (2001) Triad societies and organized crime in South Africa. Institute for Security Studies, Paper No. 48–2001.

  • Gilbertson T (2008) Alcohol-related incident guardianship and undergraduate college parties: enhancing the social norms approach. J Drug Educ 36(1):73–90

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hauck M, Kroese M (2006) Fisheries compliance in South Africa: A decade of challenges and reform 1994–2004. Mar Policy 30(1):74–83

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hauck M, Sweijd N (1999) A case study of abalone poaching in South Africa and its impact on fisheries management. ICES J Mar Sci 56(6):1024–1032

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Herbig F, Warchol G (2011) South African conservation crime and routine activities theory: a causal nexus? Acta Criminologica 24(2):1–16

    Google Scholar 

  • Humane Society of the United States (2003) Elephant Trade Fact Sheet. http://www.hsus.org/ace/12025. Accessed 27 March 2003

  • International Abalone Society (2011) 590 Tons of Abalone Confiscated by South African Authorities in 2010–2011. Retrieved from http://internationalabalonesociety.org/africa_news.html

  • Knecht G (2006) Hooked: pirates, poaching and the perfect fish. Rodale, Emmaus, PA

    Google Scholar 

  • Lemieux A (ed) (2014) Situational prevention of poaching. Routledge, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Mannon J (1998) Domestic and intimate violence: an application of routine activities theory. Aggress Violent Behav 2(1):9–24

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marshall L (2002) Poaching, smuggling threaten abalone colonies in South Africa National Geographic Retrieved from http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/04/0402_020402_abalone.html

  • McMullan J, Perrier D (1997) Poaching vs. the law”: the social organization of illegal fishing. In: McMullan J, Perrier D, Smith S, Swan P (eds) Crimes, law and communities. Halifax, Fernwood

    Google Scholar 

  • McMullan J, Perrier D (2002) Poaching and the ironies of law enforcement. Law Soc Rev 36(4):679–718

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meith T, Meier R (1994) Crime and its social context: toward an integrated theory of offenders, victims and situations. State University of New York Press, Albany

    Google Scholar 

  • Messner S, Tardiff K (2006) The social ecology of urban homicide: an application of the “routine activities approach”. Criminology 23(2):241–267

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Milner-Gulland E, Williams N (1992) A model of incentives for the illegal exploitation of black rhinos and elephants: poaching pays in the Luangwa valley, Zambia. J Appl Ecol 28:388–401

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moreto W (2015) Occupational stress among law enforcement rangers: Insights from Uganda. Oryx, FirstView. doi:10.1017/S0030605315000356

  • Moreto W, Lemieux A (2014) From CRAVED to CAPTURED: Introducing a product- based framework to examine illegal wildlife markets. European Journal on Criminal Policy and Research, OnlineFirst. doi:10.1007/s10610-014-9268-0

  • Moreto W, Lemieux A (2015) Poaching in Uganda: perspectives of law enforcement rangers. Deviant Behavior 36(11):853–873

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • National Public Radio (2003) Confronting Central Africa's Poaching Crisis: International efforts target abuses of the bushmeat trade. Retrieved from http://www.npr.org/display_pages/features/feature_912962.html. Accessed 19 Jan 2016

  • Ogunjinmi A, Umunna M, Ogunjinmi K (2008) Factors affecting job satisfaction of rangers in yankari game reserve, Bauchi, Nigeria. J Agric Soc Res 8(2):37–53

    Google Scholar 

  • Orenstein R (2013) Ivory, horn and blood: behind the elephant and rhinoceros poaching crisis. Firefly Books, Buffalo, NY

    Google Scholar 

  • Petrossian GA (2015) Preventing illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing: a situational approach. Biol Conserv 189:39–48

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Petrossian GA, Clarke RV (2014) Explaining and controlling illegal commercial fishing an application of the CRAVED theft model. Br J Criminol 54(1):73–90

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pires SF, Clarke RV (2011) Sequential foraging, itinerant fences and parrot poaching in Bolivia. Br J Criminol 51(2):314–335

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pires S, Clarke RV (2012) Are parrots CRAVED? An analysis of parrot poaching in Mexico. J Res Crime Delinq 49(1):122–146

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Plaganyi E, Butterworth D, Burgener M (2011) Illegal and unreported fishing of abalone: quantifying the extent using a fully integrative assessment model. Fish Res 107(1):221–232

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Redpath J (2001) The hydra phenomenon, rural sitting ducks and other recent trends around organized crime in the Western Cape. Institute for Human Rights and Criminal Justice Studies, Technikon, South Africa

    Google Scholar 

  • Rogers G (2010) Poachers act with impunity. The herald. South Africa. Retrieved from http://www.environment.co.za/environmental-issues-news/perlemoen-poachers-act-with-impunity.html

  • Schneider J (2012) Sold into extinction: The global trade in endangered species. Santa Barbara, CA: Praeger

  • Serge J, Raemaekers P, Britz P (2009) Profile of the illegal abalone fishery in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa: organized pillage and management failure. Fish Res 97(3):183–195

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shaw M (2014) Transnational organized crime in Africa. In: Albanese J, Reichel P (eds) Transnational organized crime: an overview from six continents. Los Angeles, Sage, pp. 93–115

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Steinberg J (2005) The illicit abalone trade in South Africa. ISS Paper No. 5. Institute for Security Studies, Pretoria, South Africa.

  • Tarr R. (1992) The abalone fishery of South Africa. In: Shepard S, Tegner, M, Guzman del Proo, S. (eds) Abalone of the World. Fishing News Books, Cambridge, 438--447

  • Troella M, Robertson-Andersson D, Anderson R, Bolton J, Maneveldt G, Halling C, Probyn T (2006) Abalone farming in South Africa: an overview with perspectives on kelp resources, abalone feed, potential for on-farm seaweed production and socio-economic importance. Aquaculture 257:266–281

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Venter C (2003) Organized crime: a perspective from South Africa. In: Albanese J, Das D, Verma A (eds) Organized crime: world perspectives. Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ, pp. 379–391

    Google Scholar 

  • Walsh A, Ellis L (2007) Criminology: An interdisciplinary approach. Sage, Thousand Oaks, CA

    Google Scholar 

  • Warchol G, Zupan L, Clack W (2003) Transnational criminality: an analysis of the illegal wildlife market in southern Africa. Int Crim Justice Rev 13:1–27

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Warchol G, Johnson B (2009) Wildlife crimes in the game reserves of South Africa: a research note. Int J Com Appl Crim Justice 33(1):143–154

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Warchol G, Kapla D (2012) Policing the wilderness: a descriptive study of wildlife conservation officers in South Africa. Int J Com Appl Crim Justice 36:83–101

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Williams F, McShane D (2004) Criminological theory, 4th edn. Pearson, Upper Saddle River, NJ

    Google Scholar 

  • Winslow R, Zhang S (2008) Criminology: A global perspective. Pearson, Upper Saddle River, NJ

  • World Bank (2016) The World Bank, Countries at a Glance - South Africa. Retrieved from www.worldbank.org/en/country/southafrica. Accessed 19 Jan 2016

  • World Wildlife Fund (2007) South African Abalone to Come Under International Trade Controls Retrieved from http://wwf.panda.org/?94101/south-african-abalone-to-come-under-international-trade-controls

  • World Wildlife Fund (2015) CITES: Insuring That species are not Threatened by International Trade Retrieved from http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/how_we_work/policy/conventions/cites/

  • Wright R, Decker S (1994) Burglars on the job: streetlife and residential break-ins. Northeastern University Press, Boston

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Criminal Justice, Northern Michigan University, 1401 Presque Isle Avenue, Marquette, MI, 49855, USA

    Greg Warchol & Michael Harrington

Authors
  1. Greg Warchol
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Michael Harrington
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Greg Warchol.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Warchol, G., Harrington, M. Exploring the dynamics of South Africa’s illegal abalone trade via routine activities theory. Trends Organ Crim 19, 21–41 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12117-016-9265-4

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12117-016-9265-4

Keywords

search

Navigation