Thirteen marine poachers in the Western Cape have been arrested in separate police operations since January.
Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) Marine Rangers in partnership with the City of Cape Town Marine Law Enforcement Unit conducted a joint sea patrol operation starting from January until now in the Cape of Good Hope Section of TMNP.
On January 14, one poaching rubber duck was confiscated and booked in with the South African Police Services (SAPS) and a case of poaching was opened. The teams have been conducting daily sea patrols in the Marine Protected Areas of TMNP to fight against poaching that threatens marine resources.
SAPS teams have been conducting daily sea patrols in the Marine Protected Areas of TMNP to fight against poaching that threatens marine resources.
A second arrest was made on January 29 following a successful joint operation conducted by the teams in Kommetjie. This resulted in five suspects being arrested and detained by the South African Police Services (SAPS) in Ocean View for being in possession of eighteen shucked abalone, one whole state abalone, three West Coast rock lobster, and one West Coast rock lobster tail.
A third arrest was made on Wednesday, February 3 and four suspects were arrested for being in possession of 730 West Coast rock lobster tails and one fishing ski boat. All confiscated goods were booked in with the SAPS and a case of poaching has been opened.
‘We really appreciate the assistance and support we are getting from the City of Cape Town Marine Law Enforcement Unit. Sharing of resources amongst law enforcement agencies is of paramount importance in tackling poaching more especially in identified poaching hotspots areas. Working together we can achieve more,’ says Ezekiel Kosa, TMNP Marine Manager.
Picture: Wikimedia Commons
