NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES
WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION 371
DATE OF PUBLICATION: FRIDAY 09 SEPTEMBER 2011 [IQP No 28 -2011] SECOND
SESSION, FOURTH PARLIAMENT
Question 371 for Written Reply, National Council of Provinces: Mr M W
Makhubela (Cope-Limpopo) to ask the Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and
Fisheries:
Whether illegal abalone poaching has increased since 2009; if not, what is
the position in this regard; if so, (a) how many tonnes were poached since
2009 and (b) how is the illegal trading of abalone being monitored? CW457E
REPLY:
Yes.
(a) It is very difficult to obtain precise data on the quantity of abalone
poached because illegal catches are, by their very nature, unregulated and
unreported. However, the exact amount of abalone confiscated is the
following:
2009 â 54122.76 kg
2010 â 57637.39 kg
2011 to date â 45356.47 kg
These values include both wet (shucked) and dried abalone.
(b) A database is kept of the number of illegal abalone that is
confiscated. Samples of the confiscated abalone are also measured and
weighed to monitor trends in the size of the poached abalone. These records
span the period 1994 to 2011.
The Department monitors catches at landing sites to ensure that what is
landed was caught legally. Inspections are being conducted at Fish
Processing Establishments (FPEs) and random inspections at exit points.
Illegal FPEs are also identified, closed down and Operators are prosecuted.
There are increased enforcement efforts in terms of human capacity as well
as surveillance equipment and resources. The Department is currently
working jointly with other law enforcement agencies to combat abalone
poaching.
The Department is currently experiencing the following challenges in
monitoring illegal trading of abalone:
⢠Insufficient human capacity and the need for more patrol vessels.
⢠Cooperation between poorer communities and poachers.
⢠The need for investments in effective technology to monitor suspects,
for cargo inspection and all border posts or ports of entry and exit.
However, the Department has the following future plans for combating the
illegal trade of abalone:
⢠To improve and strengthen relationships with other law enforcement
agencies both nationally and internationally
⢠Working towards the implementation of the Integrated Fisheries
Security Strategy
⢠To embark on a multipronged strategic approach to reduce poaching that
would include amongst others the following:
o Targeted research focused on possible links between poverty and
poaching
o Initiate projects in poor fishing communities to create alternative
livelihoods
o Strengthen law enforcement efforts.