Night operations halt poaching at Park Rynie and Widenham beaches
The East Coast rock lobster (crayfish) closed season is from November 1 to the end of February to protect breeding stocks.
Illegal marine harvesting at Park Rynie Beach was dealt with thanks to a joint night operation that led to the arrest of suspects and the recovery of protected marine species.
The Coastal Marine Task Force (CMTF) together with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) and Scottburgh Saps conducted the joint night patrol operation after the CMTF “Eye in the Sky” surveillance team identified five individuals actively harvesting marine life from the rocky shoreline along Park Rynie last Tuesday between 22:00 and 01:20.
Information was relayed to Scottburgh Saps members who responded promptly and apprehended the individuals.
The suspects were taken to Scottburgh Saps for further processing, with DFFE officials attending to inspect the catch and open formal dockets.
On inspection by DFFE, the following illegally harvested marine life were recovered: person 1- one mussel man crab, nine crayfish (one undersize, six with eggs), 34 mussels; person 2- seven crayfish (five with eggs), 20 mussels; person 3- four crayfish (one with eggs), 52 mussels; and persons 4 and 5 discarded their catch prior to enforcement action.
The three who were arrested were found to be without valid angling permits.
CMTF noted that the East Coast rock lobster (crayfish) season in KwaZulu-Natal runs from March 1 to October 31, with a closed season from November 1 to the end of February to protect breeding stocks. The harvesting of crayfish during this period constitutes a serious offence under marine conservation legislation.
“This operation underscores the effectiveness of coordinated night patrols, aerial surveillance and rapid law enforcement response in combating illegal marine harvesting,” said the CMTF team.
“The interception of undersize and egg-bearing crayfish during a closed season further highlights the importance of continued enforcement to protect vulnerable marine resources and ensure the sustainability of South Africa’s coastal ecosystems.”
Prior to this operation, a similar joint anti-poaching operation was conducted in Widenham the day before after information was received from Gladiator Security.
Gladiator Security notified CMTF of illegal poaching activity taking place on the rocks along the Widenham/Umkomaas beach area. The suspects took advantage of full moon visibility and spring low tides to harvest marine life illegally.
CMTF immediately mobilised and initiated an operation to intercept the suspects and recover the illegally foraged marine life which included over 200 rock snails, over 300 rock oysters, small fish, three baby octopus and multiple crabs. Illegal harvesting tools were also seized.
The suspects were transported to Umkomaas Saps, with DFFE actively involved in the arrest and charging process. Charges were formally laid and the suspects were fined.
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