CAPE TOWN. – A 35-year-old man has been detained after City of Cape Town officers seized 1 800 West Coast Rock Lobster tails in Hout Bay, in a West Coast Rock Lobster arrest linked to the suspected illegal trade in marine living resources.
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West Coast Rock Lobster arrest follows Harbour Road tip-off
The City’s Marine and Environmental Law Enforcement Unit acted on 8 August alongside officials from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment and members of the Law Enforcement Animal Control Unit.
Officers received information about a silver Nissan Almera allegedly transporting West Coast Rock Lobster tails in the vicinity of Harbour Road, Hout Bay. They responded and located the vehicle.
A search of the vehicle led to the seizure of 1 800 tails. The suspect, a Hout Bay resident, was arrested and detained at Hout Bay SAPS for further investigation. The vehicle was seized in connection with the investigation.
Part of ongoing coastal enforcement operations
The arrest forms part of ongoing joint enforcement operations aimed at combating the illegal harvesting, possession, transportation and trade of marine living resources along the City’s coastline.
* Press release.
