News

Goods confiscated by Peter Roman”s team in Knysna included mud prawns (1028), polycheate worms (983), tapeworm (187), alikreukels (165), moonshine (75), mud crabs (36), blood worm (27) and garden forks (15).

Source: Johan de Klerk, at a Park Forum, November 2014.

The stats point to a need for more awareness (carrot approach) and more enforcement (stick approach) is necessary to ensure the Knysna estuary keeps its place as SA”s number 1 in terms of biodiversity significance.

“We are working very closely with the Knysna Municipality, the South African Police Service (SAPS) and other law enforcement agencies (Cape Nature, Department of Justice and others) to protect the estuary from all unlawful activities” says Govender. During popular seasons, marine rangers do more patrols than usual.

One medium-term to long-term intervention was introduced by a SANParks scientist, Kyle Smith. He is conducting a “subsistence and recreational use assessment”. His view is building good rapport with resource users to ultimately minimize the exploitation of marine life. He has compiled a poster using coastal and estuarine fish caught in the Garden Route. Work in this regard is starting with an identification of “collapsed fish species” implying the population numbers are dwindling. These include the “60 centimeter dusky hob, the 70 centimeter Leervis/ Garrick, the 35 centimeter Galjoen and the 60 centimeter white steenbras.” This information is applicable to the entire Garden Route and not specific areas.

In May 2014, at least 82 pieces of Rooiwortel were confiscated from the first suspect and about 77 pieces from another by Marine Rangers. A docket was opened by the SANParks Staff and two accused, one being a second offender was arrested, and was detained at the Knysna Police station. Both were charged for the illegal removal of forest produce under the National Forest Act.

This year, the Knysna section of the GRNP will scale up education and information sessions to visitors and citizens. More regular routine checks will be conducted by rangers and environmental monitors. We continue to work exceptionally well with SAPS and other security agencies as well as other environmental agencies in the area.

Report any environmental crime you see or suspect to:
Knysna
Contact: 078 354 3355 or 044 302 5600