MONDAY, 06 MARCH 2006:
Following the Department of Environmental
Affairs and Tourisms national enforcement
conference aimed at strengthening environmental
enforcement in South Africa, marine enforcement
partners gathered at a two day anti-poaching
summit to assess the success of its preventative
enforcement strategy launched in November
last year, ahead of the busiest fishing
season during the year. In the Eastern Cape
for example the number of abalone confiscated
declined dramatically during the period
October 2005 to January 2006. In October
2005 a total of 52336 abalone were confiscated,
at the end of November this figure dropped
to 6926, almost 600% decrease.The figure
for December 2005 and January 2006 combined
is 3216, which represents a further 100
% decrease. This indicates less abalone
poaching occurred from the period October
2005 - January 2006. In addition a total
number of 1200 alleged poachers were prevented
from diving.
The deployment of the environmental protection
vessels resulted in one fine of R200 0000
issued for contravention of maritime laws.
In addition 130 on board inspections were
carried out; a total of 334 permits checked
and a total of 26 fines were issued. Vessels
and equipment at the value of R1.5m were
confiscated and R1.5 m illegally caught
fish stock was recovered. The visibility
of the environmental protection vessels
and the deployment of navy divers in hotspot
poaching areas have contributed to substantial
reduced number of divers and alleged poachers
in the areas.
In Cape Town, Overberg, East Coast and
Borders a total of 202 arrests were made,
33 vehicles confiscated and a total value
R240 0000 of fines were issued for the period
Nov - Jan 2006.
Other inspections carried out included
restaurants, fish factories and shops, and
commercial fishing boats, at landing sites
and beach inspections.
The summit consolidated working relations
between the department, SA Police Services,
SA Navy and the Scorpions.
The challenges identified include the intensification
of such operations throughout the year,
strengthening engagements with communities
to fight poaching and the need for continued
consolidated coordination and cooperation
between the different law enforcement agencies.
