The Vaal Marina police closed down an illegal fishing operation on the banks of the Vaal Dam during a safety cross-border operation. Fish caught illegally in the dam by foreigners are allegedly sold elsewhere.

 “We received information about illegal net fishing by illegal immigrants at the University of Johannesburg grounds by the Vaal Dam,” said Sedibeng district police commissioner Nkhensani Lemba.

Fish caught illegally in the Vaal Dam. Photo: Vaalweekblad

“We need to heighten these types of operations and it needs to be ongoing, we also need to ensure that the group is larger. We are very worried about the criminal activities in this area.”  

The operation was carried out on Friday (3/8) by Vaal Marina, the Sedibeng water wing, the Sedibeng drone unit, Gauteng traffic wardens, and rural police stations of De Deur, Barrage, Vereeniging, Orange Farm, and Meyerton.

“Earlier, we recovered stolen sheep in the area.  The people who throw in nets are fishing illegally and even fish endangered species, which is a problem,” said Lemba.

 When police arrived on the scene the suspects had already run, but police were able to confiscate two fishing boats, nets, as well as fish caught illegally, including endangered species.

Operations carried out by Vaal Marina to curb illegal fishing. Photo: Supplied 

Vaalweekblad reports Lemba called upon communities to work hand in hand with the police to combat crime in rural areas.

Illegal fishing is a key driver of global overfishing, it threatens marine ecosystems, puts food security and regional stability at risk, and is linked to major human rights violations and even organised crime, according to the World Wide Fund for Nature South Africa.

“More than 30% of the world's fisheries have been overfished and requires strict management to restore them.”

Fishing boats confiscated by the police. Photo: Vaalweekblad

Effects of illegal fishing and overfishing from the Western Cape government:

Overfishing is devastating for coastal and ocean ecosystems as well as the communities that rely on fishing as a source of income. 

Other problems associated with overfishing are:

• Increased algae. Some algae is good for the marine ecosystem, but if it’s allowed to grow uncontrollably and become an algae bloom it will harm the existing marine species.
• Increased bycatch, which are species caught in fishing nets that we don’t consume. This can include turtles and other endangered species.
• Possible financial losses for smaller-scale fisherman and their families.
• A possible loss of a food source for poorer coastal communities.

OFM News/Zenande Mpame