During an anti-poaching operation yesterday Tuesday, 5 October 2010 officials from the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) confiscated two boats and arrested a total of 28 alleged poachers on Robben and Dyers islands respectively.
One of the incidents unfolded during the early hours of the morning at Robben Island when DAFF officials on board the Lillian Ngoyi inshore fisheries patrol vessel launched a rubber duck and approached the Robben Island area.
Within the one nautical mile area of the Island, the officials detected a rubber duck and immediately swooped on three divers. The arrest was quick and swift.
The suspects were taken to the Table Bay police station. Another four divers were subsequently arrested and taken to the Table Bay police station by the South African Police Service (SAPS) officials. They are believed to have been part of the earlier arrested group.
In another incident on the same day (5 October 2010) the DAFF officials from the FPV Lillian Ngoyi confiscated another nine meter rubber duck, the "Mr Miagi" and arrested 25 divers in the Dyers Island area.
The situation became tense as the alleged poachers continuously tried to ram the rubber duck of the FPV Lillian Ngoyi. However, officials on board the Lillian Ngoyi managed to bring the situation under control.
The "Mr Miagi" was the second rubber duck that the FPV Lillian Ngoyi has apprehended in the Dyer Island area in a space of one week. The previous rubber duck was apprehended on 30 September 2010 and had approximately seven divers onboard, all of whom were arrested.
During the past three months, DAFF's fisheries patrol vessels have been central to the confiscation of 12 boats from abalone and west coast rock lobster poaching activities and the arrest of approximately 60 alleged poachers.
The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) together with other law enforcement agencies will continue step up its efforts in fighting the scourge of poaching.
For enquiries contact:
Carol Moses
Tel: 021 402 3448
Cell: 082 829 3917
