The Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Narend Singh, has called for the swift prosecution of a motorist found in the illegal possession of 640 kg of dry abalone in Makhanda, Eastern Cape.

“We commend the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Monitoring Control and Surveillance (MCS) Unit, working together with the South African Police Service (SAPS), for their vigilance, and for ensuring that the confiscated abalone was safeguarded until it was weighed, tagged and transported to the departmental storage facilities,” Singh said on Wednesday 14 August.

This follows the arrest of a man found in possession of 27 black plastic bags containing a total of 13 661 dry abalone.

On 5 August 2024, the MCS unit based in Port Alfred was called out to Makhanda following the discovery of the poached abalone during a stop-and-search by the SAPS.

The department said the MCS Unit will continue to work with law enforcement and other stakeholders to curb the illegal trade of marine living resources through Operation Phakisa’s Initiative 5 – Compliance and Enforcement.

Departmental officials will also heighten participation in community awareness programmes by visiting schools to educate the youth on the sustainable utilisation of marine living resources.

“I urge every South African to be vigilant and report any environmental crimes to the authorities. It is crucial that our communities work hand in hand with law enforcement agencies to protect our marine resources,” Singh said.