Haliotis virginea, Virgin pāua, is a species of edible sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Haliotidae, the abalone.

Description

The size of the shell varies between 30 mm and 75 mm.

Subspecies

DNA extracted from H. virginae shells in museums showed three main population divisions, inhabiting the Three Kings Islands; the Chatham, Auckland, and Antipodes Islands; and mainland New Zealand (as well as Campbell Island). These three clades do not correspond to the subspecies recognised above.

Distribution

This marine species is endemic to New Zealand.

Human use

Haliotis virginea and three other Haliotis species are known as "pāua" in New Zealand and are a restricted food source.