Cape Town - Half a million rand is earned by illegal poachers for one shipment of abalone while they explore sophisticated equipment and vessels to evade police
This, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) revealed following the arrest of a 22-year-old man two weeks ago, who was caught red-handed, allegedly with 23 bags of abalone, after he was followed from Robben Island to Hout Bay via the City’s Eye in the Sky technology.
DFFE said this is just the tip of the iceberg for the lucrative illegal trade, which is estimated to be more than R10 billion.
DFFE spokesperson, Peter Mbelengwa, said: “The department is fully aware of the above incident and have cooperated in respect of this enforcement initiative. The illegal harvesting of abalone in certain and specific areas along the South African coastline, including Bird Island, Dyer and Robben Island, has become a significant challenge. Illegal operators in this regard have adapted and evolved in their means to engage in these illicit activities and deploys the utmost measures to prevent and circumvent apprehension.”
Mbelengwa said the illegal operators deploy high-powered semi-ridged hulled inflatable vessels, sophisticated scuba gear and equipment, and at times operate in large groups, outnumbering any enforcement measure.
“Illegal operators at the initial stage of harvesting, earn up to R1 000 per kg for the resource and these illicit activities are orchestrated by well organised criminal networks and enterprises,” he said.
“This means that should the perpetrators have evaded apprehension in the above incident, they would have earned more than R500 000. It is therefore of utmost importance to prevent and curb the illegal harvesting of abalone as it is believed to be the financial driver for many other illegal activities.”
He said the department as the lead agency is responsible for the implementation of Initiative 5, which includes high-risk areas and are intelligence-driven, aimed to ensure the sustainable utilisation of marine living resources.
“The economic value of illegal abalone trade from 2000 to 2016 is estimated at over R10bn,” he added.
“Reported global South African abalone imports between 2000 and 2016 totalled 55 863 tonnes.
“This far outweighs legal production, which was 18 905 tonnes over the same period.
“Abalone harvested illegally between 2000 and 2016 therefore totals an estimated 36 958 tonnes, or an average of 2 174 tonnes per year.
“This equates to 96 million individual abalone valued at R628 million (if it was legally traded) being poached annually over the 17-year period.
“The indiscriminate harvesting of the abalone resource is resulting in the severe decline of the stock numbers and can further result in the complete commercial collapse of the resource.”
He said Robben Island was regarded as one of the areas with healthy abalone stocks and this area also facilitates the natural reproduction of the wild abalone stocks.
At the weekend, police spokesperson Joseph Swartbooi said the Maitland Flying Squad members found 74 kilograms of abalone inside a vehicle in the vicinity of Brackenfell and arrested one person.
Robben Island Museum (RIM) Management and Council earlier said they were involved in continued collaboration with DFFE’s Chief Directorate of Monitoring, Control and Surveillance.