News

Cape Town, 29 October 2007 – Surveillance operations of the Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) led to the arrest of two perlemoen (abalone) poachers at Buffels Bay in the afternoon on Thursday, 25 October 2007.

The two poachers, although unknown to the TMNP, are suspected to be part of a syndicate. They were caught with 23 abalone, four of which were regarded as undersize and this is considered a separate offence.

The pair was charged with contravening the Marine Living Resources Act and had no permits to remove and/or transport the species. They were taken to Simonstown police station and were remanded in custody until a court appearance today.

Surveillance will be stepped up during the coming festive season, particularly in the known hotspots such as Buffels Bay and Bordjiesrif.

To date about 180 people have been arrested by the TMNP for contravening the Marine Living Resources Act since the establishment of a marine protected area in the Cape peninsula in July 2004.

For further information, please contact:

Phumeza Mgxashe, Communications Manager, Table Mountain National Park.

Cell: 083 589 8588