Two men suspected to be abalone poachers were arrested on Friday morning (March 26) in Gifkommetjie in the Cape of Good Hope Section of Table Mountain National Park for being in possession of West Coast Rock Lobster without a permit.
One black rubber duck including one x 200 Hose Power engine was confiscated during the arrest and the items were booked with the South African Police Services. A case of poaching has been opened with the SAPS, said TMNP Park Manager, Frans van Rooyen.
According to van Rooyen, this follows on successful arrests of 88 suspected poachers since the beginning of the year, meaning a total of 90 suspects have been arrested to date.
He said TMNP together with its law enforcement partners in the SAPS, City of Cape Town, and other agencies are working together to fight the scourge of abalone poaching.
“The teams have been conducting daily sea patrols in the Marine Protected Areas of TMNP to fight against poaching that threatens the Marine Resources.”
“We really appreciate the assistance and support we are getting from the City of Cape Town Marine Law Enforcement Unit and SAPS. I’d also like to thank the TMNP rangers for a spectacular job well done,” conclude van Rooyen.
Photo: @TableMountainNP/Twitter