Question NW693 to the Minister of Police
29 March 2018 - NW693
Van Dalen, Mr P to ask the Minister of Police
Whether he has put any plans and/or strategies in place to control the (a) abalone and (b) rock lobster poaching problem; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details of each programme?
Reply:
(a) and (b)
The management and protection of all marine resources, which includes abalone and rock lobsters, falls within the ambit of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (OAFF), as stipulated in the Marine Living Resources Act, 1998 (Act No 18 of 1998). The South African Police Service (SAPS), in close cooperation with DAFF, combats poaching by investigating individual poaching cases, as well as identified syndicates.
The National Integrated Strategy to Combat Wildlife Trafficking, is a draft strategy document, in which all wildlife trafficking, which includes abalone, is addressed. Rock lobster is not addressed by this strategy, as it does not feature on the "Threatened or Protected Species" list.
Reply to question 693 recommended/not recommended
GENERAL NATINOAL COMMISIONER: SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICES
K SITOLE
Date: 2018/03/23
Reply to question 693 approved/not approved
MINISTER OF POLICE
BH CELE, MP
Date: 2018/03/28