Abalone is also prevalent in Australian and South African coastal waters and is highly valued. There is an extensive black market in the collection and export of abalone meat.

The abalone shell is found especially at Santa Barbara and other places on the Californian coast from the south up to Fort Bragg and beyond, and when polished makes a beautiful ornament. The muscle tissue of the mollusc is often eaten, and the gonads of the abalone are delicacies in China and Japan.