A well-co-ordinated multi-disciplinary operation conducted yesterday, 29 September 2022 in Gqeberha led police to venture into the deep seas.
At about 12:00, SAPS Border Policing, Uitenhage K9 unit and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environmental Affairs were conducting inspections on fishing vessels in the sea near Van Stadens. As they embarked on a local trawler, they established that the vessel was carrying more people on board as it was supposed to. The vessel is allowed to carry 20 people however it was discovered that 26 people were on board.
The trawler was escorted back to Gqeberha harbour and police will be issuing the skipper with a fine on Friday, 30 September 2022 for non-compliance of the permit in terms of the Marine Resources Act. Due to the non-compliance, a total of 4,633 tons of squid on board was confiscated by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environmental Affairs. The estimated value of the squid is R400 000. Also, 479 packets of dagga was also found on board. The dagga was seized with no arrests.
Operation Sikhona does not restrict policing to specific areas only but expands its duties beyond the shorelines as well. Criminality knows no boundaries and police will be monitoring the coastline to ensure that those using the sea as a mode of transport or fishing within the Nelson Mandela Bay and Humansdorp areas, is free from criminal or unlawful activities.
Source: South African Police Service