Diving for and catching Abalone is fantastic fun and very rewarding. It’s a skill that usually requires practice and patience before you are continually successful. Generally, Abalone hunting is done while freediving or scuba diving in 2 metres or more of water
Abalone are huge snails that live on rocks in the shallows of the ocean. They have hard shells and are firmly attached to the rocks by their ‘foot’. Some of the most popular places in Australia to find Abalone, include the southern coast of Western Australia, the eastern coast of Tasmania, and the Great Australian Bight.
Other spots to look include the coast of South Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales. Our friends @Plentyofdust featured below, scored a great feast of Abalone and squid whilst beach camping at Wauraltee Beach in South Australia recently.
1.Time your dive according to the tides: Abalone are more active during high tide and will be easier to spot.
2. Look for the right habitat: Abalone prefer rocky reefs, kelp beds, and areas with plenty of seaweed.
3. Bring the right equipment – wetsuit, mask, snorkel and an abalone iron. Oceanpro’s Shuka Abalone Knife or Abalone lron will do the trick when prying them from the rock and check out Oceanhunter range of wetsuits if you need a new one.
4. Be aware of regulations and limits: Make sure you know the local laws and regulations and never take more than you are allowed.
What does Abalone Taste like?
When cooked properly, Abalone is naturally buttery and salty and there’s a chewiness to it, like calamari. Make sure you do your research when it comes to cooking it though, as it is easy to get it wrong.
Here’s a tasty recipie you might like to try out once you get some:
Abalone with with White Wine & Garlic Crumb
Ingredients:
- 4 medium abalone
- 4 tablespoons of butter
- 2 cloves of garlic, crushed
- 1/4 cup of white wine
- 1/4 cup of parsley,
- chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1/4 cup of breadcrumbs
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
- Add abalone to the skillet and sauté for 3-4 minutes.
- Add white wine and parsley. Simmer for 3-4 minutes.
- Transfer abalone to a greased baking dish.
- Sprinkle salt, pepper, and breadcrumbs on top of the abalone.
- Bake in preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Serve hot. Enjoy!
