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Poaching - our marine resources are under threat. The destruction of our abalone (perlemoen) is well known to all. This is big international business. Some reports put the value of perlemoen (Haliotis midae) higher than gold. What is perhaps less well-known is that the poaching of rock-lobsters (crayfish or kreef) is also part of the large international black market trade. Our crayfish (Jasus lalandii) are very valuable. As such they are under threat and in Dec/Jan 2015/16, an intrusion of Offshore Vessels which were illegally fishing within One Nautical Mile of the shore is an indication both of the vulnerability of our resources and a testament to the ability of Rooiels residents to make a difference. Vigilance and reports made resulted in them moving away for weeks at a time, but we did on several occasions report further intrusions.
We need to keep our eyes out for abalone and crayfish poachers, usually divers who then work with others who come and collect the catch - watch out for suspicious activity. And also report the Offshore Vessels if they come within one nautical mile of our shores. (Note there is some confusion in the regulations which appear to give grid references that enable them to fish close to Rooiels shores, but the broader regulations require Offshore vessels to stay outside one nautical mile of the shore.) We continue to report as these Offshore vessels each of which is estimated to take between 5000 - 10000 crayfish a day. If clarification subsequently allows them to come close to shore we will have to take up advocacy to ensure it does not happen. They pose a serious threat to the crayfish population and make any occasional recreational infringement of the 4 kreef limit per person for a total of 21 days, of no consequence. |
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Report Poaching
Telephone: DAFF Kleinmond Fisheries on: 028 271 4768 Or the DAFF Hermanus 24 Hour line: 0283132703 Or the Individual Inspectors on 0825706389, 0844086159, 0798771277 The most effective for the Offshore Fishing is to notify us and if possible send an email with a photo which we can forward to the DAFF monitoring and surveillance unit. Email [email protected] 
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Recreational Crayfishing is very restricted to a few weekends in November and the Christmas and Easter periods (see Boat Club or Fish and Other Sea Animals for more details)
Nearshore Kreef fishing or artisnal fishing is restricted to small boats using only nets. Their season is usually between November and the end of March. However in 2016 it was extended to the end of June. Offshore Vessels which are larger and use the cage trap nets are not allowed within ONE nautical mile of our shore. Please be sure to report any fishing closer to shore. | ||
| frap_2015-16_policies_and_forms_gazette_16_nov_2015.pdf |
| mlra-regulations-_of_marine_living_resources_act_-_shows_not_within_one_mile.rtf |
Download Report on what happened and how Rooiels made a difference
Sea Pollution is another serious problem issue. Rooielsers do what they can by picking up plastic and litter that washes up on our shores but this is a worldwide problem that needs to be addressed. Click to read articles on sea pollution
