A 35-year-old man has been arrested in Hout Bay after officers seized 1 800 West Coast Rock Lobster tails during a joint enforcement operation on Saturday, 8 August.

The City of Cape Town’s Marine and Environmental Law Enforcement Unit, together with officials from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) and members of the Law Enforcement Animal Control Unit, carried out the operation after receiving information about suspected illegal trading and transportation of West Coast Rock Lobster (WCRL).

City Law Enforcement spokesperson Wayne Dyason said officers were alerted to a vehicle that was allegedly transporting lobster tails in the vicinity of Harbour Road in Hout Bay.

“The officers received information about a silver Nissan Almera allegedly transporting WCRL tails in the vicinity of Harbour Road. The officers responded and located the vehicle. A search of the vehicle led to the seizure of 1 800 West Coast Rock Lobster tails.”

The suspect, a Hout Bay resident, was arrested and detained at Hout Bay SAPS for further investigation. The vehicle was also seized as part of the investigation.

Dyason said the operation is part of ongoing efforts to combat illegal activities involving marine living resources.

“This arrest forms part of ongoing joint enforcement operations aimed at combating the illegal harvesting, possession, transportation and trade of marine living resources along the City’s coastline.”

The investigation is continuing.