10 abalone poachers held in PE
2008-01-26 08:07
Johannesburg - Ten poachers were arrested for illegal fishing activities in Port Elizabeth, the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism said on Friday.
Spokesperson Carol Moses said inspectors were patrolling the Bird Island Marine Protected Area on Thursday when they came across abalone divers.
"The inspectors on board the Victoria Mxenge Environmental Protection Vessel gave chase as the divers sped away in a super duck boat," Moses said.
Another vessel from the department, the Florence Mkhize, joined in the chase.
The vessels hoarded the fleeing duck into a corner at the Sunday's River mouth, but it sped off up the river.
The duck eventually got stuck. A ground team arrested the ten occupants and seized the duck.
They are expected to appear in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate's Court on Monday.
- SAPA