Richards Bay anti-poaching unit intercepts illegal fishing
The group was following up on information about poachers in the harbour, and sprang into action, intercepting the activities and ensuring no fish were killed by this wall of death.
Quickinvention by North Coast Anti Poaching (NCAP) volunteers led to the seizure of a makeshift boat, recovery of 3.6km illegal gill nets and the safe return to the water of 72 fish last weekend.
The group was following up on information about poachers in the harbour, and sprang into action, intercepting the activities and ensuring no fish were killed by this wall of death.
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NCAP appeals to the public to continue supporting their operations, especially to cover fuel expenses.
As they are an NPO, they rely on funding, but volunteers often cover expenses out of their own pockets for this good cause.
The operations have yielded results over the past five years, and from 2017 to 2021 they have patrolled over 2 446 hours, initiating up to two planned operations per month.
Success has proven that these operations deter illegal fishing. In 2017, 197 illegal boats were recovered and destroyed; 87 in 2018; 65 in 2019; 38 in 2020 and 51 in 2021.
In the past five years, over 300km of illegal gills nets have been removed and thousands of fish released.
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