South Africa: Abalone, vehicle and trailers confiscated as DEAT cracks down on poachers

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.

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.

Source: www.deat.gov.za