Recent court rulings indicate that the illegal possession of abalone and other endangered marine life can result in hefty fines or imprisonment.
The Worcester Crime Prevention Unit nabbed a man carrying 287 units of abalone, 180 ale kurk, and ten Galjoen fish on the weekend.
He was arrested on charges of illegal possession of abalone. He appeared before the Worcester Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
Worcester police confirmed receiving a tip-off about an abalone poacher. They followed up on the lead and spotted the Beetle vehicle on the Aan De Doorns Extension Road, Johnson’s Park.
Police searched the vehicle and discovered his marine life loot.
Hefty penalties are incurred for illegal possession of abalone
In March this year, three men accused of abalone possession pleaded guilty to possession and transporting abalone at the Graaf Reinet Regional Court. They were caught transporting 9398 units of abalone valued at over one million rands.
Their guilty plea resulted in sentencing fines of between R25 000 and R150 000. Alternatively, they had to serve between 10 and 24 months’ imprisonment.
On 27 July, a routine patrol by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment intercepted a suspected group of abalone poachers who were heading for Hout Bay, Cape Town.
The suspected poachers fled; however, the vessel was seized by law enforcement.
It is unlawful to catch or sell abalone in South Africa, because it takes a long time to grow.
