Six Chinese fishing trawlers were detained and issued with fines after they had entered South African waters without the required permission.
The Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, said the vessels were detected entering the South African Exclusive Economic Zone off the Northern Cape coast on 3 April, after being ordered out of Namibian waters by that country's authorities.
“The fishery patrol vessel, the Sarah Baartman, later intercepted the vessels off the Western Cape coast and ordered them to the outer anchorage of the Port of Cape Town.
Department spokesperson, Zolile Nqayi, said that following the interception of the vessels on 7 April, the Chinese Embassy submitted a Diplomatic Note requesting permission for the trawlers to shelter in Cape Town from adverse weather conditions.
He said officials inspected the vessels and no fish were found on board. Nqayi said all their fishing gear had been stored as per the Marine Living Resources Act.
“All the vessels were subsequently fined for entering South African waters without permission. Once the fines had been paid, the six trawlers were released and monitored as they sailed out of South African waters,” he said.
Nqayi said whilst off Port Elizabeth, the vessels requested and were granted permission to shelter in Algoa Bay from adverse weather conditions.
“There was no evidence of illegal activity whilst in South African waters,” he said.
