abalone
11 January 2006
The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) and the South
African Navy have spoilt the party of 120 potential poachers in Port Elizabeth
when it stopped them from stealing abalone on Tuesday, 10 January 2006.
According to the Department's head of compliance, Abeeda Mugjenkar, the
Department sent the South African Navy divers to keep an eye on the potential
poachers in the water.
âThis was part of our highly visible policing. What it means is that
whenever divers wanted to go into the sea, we sent out navy divers with them,â
explained Mugjenkar.
However, some of them managed to steal abalone as the navy divers found 176
perlemoen that was taken out of the shells. The abalone - which could belong to
any of them - was stashed in the water.
Said Mugjenkar: âOur primary goal is to make sure that the abalone does not
get out of the water, therefore we are pleased that we managed to stop the
havoc that could have been caused.â
For more information contact: JP Louw (Chief Director of
Communications)
Cell: 082 569 3340
Tel: (012) 310 3594/6
Issued by: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
11 January 2006
Source: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (http://www.environment.gov.za/)
