The successful confiscation of abalone poaching equipment by the Kouga Abalone Task Team, with support from the Stock Theft Unit, marks a significant victory in the ongoing battle against the illicit abalone trade, safeguarding sea life along our coastline.
According to a media statement by SAPS, police reacted swiftly, and attended to a complaint on a farm in the Jeffrey’s Bay precinct and on arrival at the scene an abandoned rubber duck boat was found on the beach.
“On further investigation and search Police found bags containing abalone, diving cylinders, and other diving equipment hidden in a sand dune,” the statement said.
” They confiscated 2069 de-shelved abalone, 197 shelved abalone, three chucking tools, 12 diving cylinders, six weight belts, one rubber duck boat and two boat engines. All these items estimated to the value of R1.5 million were confiscated for further investigation,” it concluded.
The Sarah Baartman District Commissioner, Major GeneraL Zolani Xawuka applauded members for their swift reaction in attending to a complaint that led to the confiscations of these items.
“This shows that there are criminal activities by the sea where illegal poachers are involved, Police will continue in patrolling such areas to fight such activities,” Xawuka concluded.
