Port Alfred police in partnership with the Fisheries department confiscated 262 units of abalone with an estimated street value of R33 000 and arrested five suspects on Sunday 25 May.
Port Alfred police in partnership with the Fisheries department confiscated 262 units of abalone with an estimated street value of R33 000 and arrested five suspects on Sunday 25 May.
Meanwhile, Addo Elephant National Park’s Honorary Rangers handed over the keys to a brand new anti-poaching vessel to the Park and its marine team on Friday 23 May.
According to Port Alfred police spokesperson Lieutenant Luvuyo Mjekula, the arrest took place on the R72 between Port Alfred and Seafield at about 9.45am.
"This [is]after police received information of perlemoen poaching in the Fish River area by suspects in a BMW," he said.
Highway Patrol officers, Sergeant Michael Goldschagg and Constable Luvuyo Kimbili, responded and stopped the white BMW on the R72.
Mjekula said one of the suspects tried to flee, but was apprehended by Goldschlagg, who slightly injured his leg in the process. "On searching the vehicle, police found two bags full of abalone with a weight of 55.14kg as well as diving gear and poaching equipment."
The total estimated street value of the abalone, gear and equipment, according to police was R38 000. Police also confiscated the vehicle.
The five suspects, aged between 21 and 35, were detained in the Port Alfred police station and appeared in court on Tuesday on charges under the Marine Living Resources Act 18 of 1998. The case was postponed to Wednesday 4 June, for the suspects’ legal representation.
They remain in custody.
Addo's new Gemini Waverider Pro, fitted with two Honda four-stroke motors, will replace the existing and ageing 14-year old vessel currently stationed off Bird Island in Addo Elephant National Park’s (AENP) Marine Protected Area (MPA). Addo’s Conservation Manager, and acting Park Manager, John Adendorff said enforcement officers out at sea at night, combating illegal activities conducted by organised crime syndicates needed the best equipment available to achieve positive results.
The Bird Island group (Bird, Seal, Stag Islands and Black Rocks) is situated at the north-eastern side of Algoa Bay and forms ecologically distinct sub-tidal habitats, containing many endemic species of invertebrates, seaweeds and fish. It is also of particular importance due to the threatened abalone species found there.
