Behind the Cape’s illicit perlemoen trade are whole communities that rely on the income the illegal abalone fishers bring in.

Dr Niall Vine and his team are developing methods to mass produce the probiotics diet supplement that improves the perlemoen’s immune system.

Western Cape police have arrested eight suspects for the possession of abalone worth R7,5-million, a spokesperson said on Tuesday.

Minister of Environmental Affairs Marthinus van Schalkwyk says his department is planning ”further steps” to stem the poaching of marine resources.

Police swooped on the home of an alleged drug dealer and perlemoen poacher — knowing that the occupants were likely to be home.