OPERATION PHAKISA EXCEEDS EXPECTIONS
The Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform, has embarked on a successful Operation Phakisa in Port Nolloth, Namakwa District over Easter weekend (from 06 to 10 April 2023).
In conjunction with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Departments of Fisheries, Forestry and the Environment (DFFE), Water and Sanitation and South African Revenue Service, the operation was conducted pursuance of enhancing the constitutional compliance of securing our coastal environment through an integrated multi-dimensional approach. Thus, by ensuring that our environment is conducive for the development of ocean economy and further enhancing the economic security of the maritime zones for future generations.
The multi-disciplinary operations were executed under the overall Command of Colonel Kholakele Sontsi, from SAPS, supported by Mr. Thulani Mthombeni from the DFFE, Mr. Errol Swartbooi from our Department.
The main objective of this initiative was on the illegal fishing of marine resources more specifically of Western Rock Lobsters. The trawling of these fishes was open for two days, that is, the 8th and the 9th of April 2023 between 08:00 and 16:00. The maximum number of permissible lobsters is four (4) per permit. These were not only limited to lobsters only but, on limpets, oysters, mussels and others.
Furthermore, the public was given permission to engage in recreational fishing, allowing them to possess and transport a prescribed amount of fishing resources that include mussels, limpets, oysters.
To ensure the success of the operation, various vehicle control points were conducted where several vehicles were searched for maritime goods. There were no significant arrests or transgressions. This is as a result of past operations were education and awareness was emphasised.
MEC Mase Manopole has praised the team for a job well done. “The Namakwa district has for many years attracted many tourists who would want to explore the beauty of our Province. The coastal zone of Namakwa further plays an important role, especially on our ocean economy, which flourishes during this time of the year and on festive season. Now, during this times of the year, there are some people who would want to take advantage of the situation by illegally smuggling our natural resources without complying to our laws,” she said.
“These multi-disciplinary operations come a long way and have proven to be effective, especially in protecting our biodiversity, and also by keeping the area safe for our tourists. We applaud the team, for a job well done,” concluded MEC Manopole.
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