Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Willie Aucamp, announced the successful arrest of nine suspects involved in illegal harvesting within the Robben Island Marine Protected Area.
Image: Supplied
The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Willie Aucamp, confirmed the arrest of nine suspects this week following two separate incidents of attempted illegal harvesting of marine resources within the protected waters of the Robben Island Marine Protected Area (MPA).
The arrests stem from intensified operations by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) against organised poaching syndicates targeting South Africa’s vital marine biodiversity.
“I want to send a stern warning to poaching syndicates that the senseless and untethered poaching and plundering of our natural resources will come to an end, whether they like it or not,” said Aucamp, commending the DFFE officials for their vigilance on Saturday.
The first incident occurred on Tuesday night, when two rubber ducks carrying suspected poachers entered the MPA, said the department.
When DFFE officials approached, the suspects attempted a desperate escape.
Their actions escalated into a dangerous confrontation when the suspects deliberately rammed their vessel into a departmental vessel, causing damage to both boats.
Despite the aggressive manoeuvre, two suspects were apprehended and subsequently handed over to the Table Bay SAPS.
The department reported that the damaged rubber duck was recovered with the assistance of SANParks and the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI).
A second operation unfolded two days later, on Thursday, when officials were again alerted to the presence of two rubber ducks approaching the sensitive zone.
This time, according to the department, a swift and coordinated joint response between the DFFE and SANParks was initiated.
This collaborative effort resulted in the successful interception and arrest of seven additional suspects during the early hours of Friday.
Authorities confirmed that no serious injuries were sustained by any departmental or SANParks officials during either operation.
The minister stressed the necessity of a united front in conservation efforts.
“The department continues to collaborate with relevant authorities to strengthen enforcement operations and ensure the protection and sustainability of South Africa’s marine biodiversity,” he said.
Aucamp further revealed the establishment of a specialised task team to focus on the area.
“In fact, we have recently established a joint enforcement-based task team with other relevant stakeholders, including Western Cape Province, City of Cape Town, South African Police Service, and SANParks, to further intensify the fight against the illegal use of natural resources.”
He appealed to the public, urging all stakeholders, including citizens and community leaders, to remain vigilant and support the ongoing efforts to combat the illegal exploitation of South Africa’s marine wealth.
The nine suspects are currently being processed by the SAPS and face charges related to the illegal harvesting of marine resources and possibly malicious damage to state property in the first incident.
karen.singh@inl.co.za