The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) welcomes the guilty verdict and stiff sentence handed down to Leon Bekker in the Mossel Bay Magistrate's Court last Friday afternoon, 1 February 2013.
Bekker, who caught, landed and disturbed a great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) - a protected species on 11 March 2011 in the Mossel Bay area, was found guilty and fined R120 000 or months imprisonment, suspended for 5 years.
What makes this case so remarkable is the fact that this is the first great white shark case and conviction in any South African court as South Africa is also the first country to impose legislation in protecting Great White Sharks.
We are certain that the sentence will serve as a deterrent to anyone who contemplate catching or disturbing this or any other protected species and we will continue to rely on the public and other law-enforcement agencies to protect our marine resources and to arrest and prosecute anyone involved in this irresponsible crimes.
For more information please contact:
Lionel Adendorf
Director: Communication Services (Fisheries)
Cell: 076 267 5838
