DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM
DEPARTEMENT VAN OMGEWINGSAKE EN TOERISME
Ref: 02/1/5/2
MINISTER
QUESTION NO. 19 FOR WRITTEN REPLY: NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES
A draft reply to Ms E C van Lingen (DA-EC) to the above-mentioned question
is enclosed for your consideration.
Ms. Nosipho Ngcaba
DIRECTOR-GENERAL
DATE:
APPROVED/AMENDED
MINISTER
DATE:
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES
(For written reply)
QUESTION NO. 19
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 6 of 2009
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 7 August 2009
Ms E C van Lingen (DA-EC) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental
Affairs:
1) Whether, in view of the continuous abalone plundering by organized
crime syndicates of the coastline between the Van Stadens River and
Plattenberg Bay, the Marine and Coastal Management (MCM) is only
concentrating on Bird Island as the only listed area of concern along
the Eastern Cape coastline; if not, what is the position in this
regard; if so, what are the relevant details;
2) whether she has been informed of the constant abalone plundering along
this Eastern Cape coastline between Van Stadens River up to and
including the Tsitsikamma; if not, what is the position in this
regard; if so,
3) whether any action will be taken to address this problem; if not, why
not; if so, (a) what action and (b) when;
4) whether she will involve all other stakeholder departments in the SA
Police Service to address the abalone poaching along this section of
the coastline; if not, why not; if so, when;
5) whether there is a programme in place for the Department of Justice
and Constitutional Development to treat environmental crimes as in the
case of abalone poaching as organized crime and not as a Category B or
lesser crime; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, when
will this programme be implemented?
CW21E
MS E C VAN LINGEN (DA-EC)
SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENT
HANSARD
PAPERS OFFICE
PRESS
19. THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:
1) No, Marine and Coastal Management (MCM) is not only concentrating on
the Bird Island area, but continues to patrol and monitor the entire
coastline. However since the inception of the diving ban, in
February 2008 at Bird Island, which is a Marine Protected Area, MCM
has increased compliance monitoring of the Island.
2) Yes.
3) The department has recently appointed additional contract Fishery
Control Officers and continues to conduct regular vessel and land-
based patrols. The department also works in close partnership with
other Law Enforcement agencies such as SAPS and SARS, including in
dealing with the challenge of Organised Crime syndicates.
4) MCM has always involved and worked with all the relevant stakeholder
departments in the SA Police Services.
5) The Magistrates Courts are currently empowered to pass the same
sentences in abalone cases as the Regional Courts. MCM, in
consultation with the Justice College of the Department of Justice and
Constitutional Development has embarked on a programme to sensitise
the judiciary on the seriousness of these offences. This programme is
ongoing and dates are set for Magistrateâs training in August and
December 2009 and for Prosecutors in October and November 2009. The
department is also interacting with the Department of Justice
regarding a variety of issues relating to environmental crimes,
including abalone poaching.