WESTERN CAPE. – More than 1 400 West Coast lobsters valued at an estimated R718 000 were confiscated in the early hours of 12 October during a joint operation in Hawston. The operation was conducted by the Overstrand municipality's K9 unit, Hermanus police and CapeNature after information was received about the alleged illegal harvesting of lobster outside the official season.
Edward Jantjies, acting municipal manager of Overstrand, says officials came upon a white single-cab bakkie that was transporting lobster. The driver allegedly turned into a side street and offloaded several bags before fleeing. A search of the area led to the discovery of 1 436 West Coast lobster units, consisting of 28 whole lobsters, 1 153 lobster tails and 255 lobster tails from egg-bearing females. Two white Toyota Hilux bakkies with CEM registration plates and the fishing vessel Luna Scott were also identified in the investigation as allegedly being used in the crime. An investigation docket was opened and the items seized were recorded in the SAP 13 register at Hermanus police. The investigation is continuing.
The public is urged not to purchase illegally harvested sea products and to report suspected poaching to the department of forestry, fisheries and the environment, or the police.
This article is an automatic English translation of a Nuusflits article originally published in Afrikaans. Read the Afrikaans original.
