Poacher: Confessions from the Abalone Underworld

by Kimon de Greef, Shuhood Abader

Locked up for poaching abalone, Shuhood Abader began writing his life story. For over fifteen years, he had been a small cog in a criminal industry stretching from the Cape underworld to China’s luxury seafood market. As abalone – perlemoen, perly – vanishes from the South African coast, Shuhood’s first-person account takes us right into the heart of the crisis.

Kimon de Greef’s postgraduate research on poaching led him into journalism, and today he is the pre-eminent local expert on the illicit abalone trade. He contextualises Abader’s raw, immediate tale by showing how the system works: from desperate fishing communities via gang strongholds on the Cape Flats, tik, guns and police complicity to the harbours of Morocco and Hong Kong.

Journey with the authors through death-defying dives, blackmail, robbery, shark encounters, near-drownings, and chases by police and rivals. Poacher tells the story of a deadly black market; but it is also the story of one man, deeply conflicted, committed to his faith and searching for a better way.

Genres: Nonfiction, Environment

224 pages, Paperback

Published September 19, 2018

About the author

Kimon de Greef is a freelance journalist from South Africa. He has written for the New York Times, Guardian, Atlantic and National Geographic, among other outlets, with a particular focus on illicit trades. He has a conservation biology master's from the University of Cape Town and was named one of the Mail & Guardian's 200 Young South Africans in 2018.

Reviews

[Daniela · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of 2018’s best non-fiction releases. The book stands out among the many exposés of the year, because of its honest, multifaceted and firsthand account of the illicit abalone trade. It highlights the socio-economic realities (particularly in South Africa and China) that allow for the prevalence of the trade; without resorting to simplistic scapegoating of poachers alone. Poacher takes the reader on a fast paced journey that spans continents, terrifying encounters with sharks (of the animal as well as human variety) and crazy disparities between desperate fishing communities sourcing the illicit sea-snail that turns into Michelin-starred Cantonese dishes. An absolute page-turner.

[Stuart Bulterman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A riveting stroy of the underworld of Abalone poaching and the series of events that have connected destitute fisherman forecfully removed from their homes to the triads. De Greef paints the perfect picture as to how the international ableone trade has formed and the rolepalyers within it, most imporarnly he make you realise the desperation and dire circumstances that have lead to people risking their lives at the bottom of the ocean for a pittance.

The book takes you on a journey through the history of South Africa and the cicumstances of those whom have been left destitute by a series of goverments which have discriminated against them and failed them.

A harrwoing tale of the poaching food chain and how those whom have the most to lose and take the greatest risks also benifit the least.

[Mya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Co-written by a journalist so the narrative is quite factual and to the point, making it a well paced read.

I found it quite interesting as I used to scuba in many of the places mentioned or have visited the beaches. I was intrigued to hear about the Easter Horse Show! I'd be keen to check that out one day. It was also strange reading about the origins of Ocean View, a place my grandparents drove past often when commuting to their home in Kommetjie.

Although mostly based in Cape Town, there are scenes from other parts of the world and South Africa, including Port Elizabeth which is near where I grew up.

In the end, I don't think the book creates much impact. I liked the read but didn't come away with anything new or life altering. But perhaps that's because I already knew about a lot of this stuff, so it was just filling in detail rather than creating new revelations.

[Zola Hues · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently read this and it is a super insightful, well-written book. Proved to be an excellent research tool for a novel I am working on. Gritty details are included to the perfect degree, and the author did not shy away from touching on potentially divisive topics. This contributed to the overall understanding of why the ecosystem of poaching gangs exists in the first place. Well-worth the read!

[Fatima Moosa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic book. Provided such interesting insights and a much-needed human face to the poaching industry. I also had the opportunity to chat to the authors which made reading the book a lot more fascinating https://www.thedailyvox.co.za/poacher...

[Ed Stoddard · Rating 4 out of 5]

A unique collaboration that shines light on the dark underbelly of the illicit trade in wildlife and its social, economic and ecological consequences.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading this all I can say is, the life of an abalone poacher is neither easy nor prosperous! Fascinating look at the underworld of a little known criminal activity occurring in South Africa.