29/08/2005 The Department
of Environmental Affairs and Tourism has on
Friday 26 August 2005 confiscated abalone,
a vehicle, two trailers and equipment worth
an estimated R3.3 million in Somerset West
near Cape Town. Three men were arrested and
are expected to appear in court today.
This incident follows extensive observation
and investigations by the departments specialised
unit.
In separate incidents, the Department has
welcomed judgement by the Humansdorp Magistrate
Court and the Mossel Bay regional Court during
the past two weeks.
The Mossel Bay regional Court imposed a fine
of R350-000 in the case against ProFish (Pty)
Limited, and its Director was handed a five
year suspended sentence, after being convicted
for fraud involving illegal fishing.
In a separate case the Humansdorp Magistrate
Court convicted five men for illegal possession
of abalone, poached from Cape St Francis in
the Eastern Cape. They were sentenced to four
months in prison with an option to pay a R10
000 fine.
During the arrest of the men, the department
also seized a vessel and a 4x4 vehicle valued
at R450 000.
In the Western Cape, the Hermanus Environmental
court recorded a total of 37 convictions for
the past three months, mainly abalone related
offences, The court further issued fines to
the value of approximately R300 000,00 and
recorded 82 000 abalone confiscated as well
as the seizure of a luxury vehicle worth R250
000,00.
