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Officials have confiscated over 4 tons of squid from a fishing vessel near Van Stadens which was found to have breached its permit conditions issued in terms of the Marine Resources Act.
Police spokesperson, Colonel Priscilla Naidu, says the boat's skipper will be issued a fine on Friday for non-compliance with the Act.
She said SAPS members and officials from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and Environmental Affairs, were conducting inspections on fishing vessels in the sea near Van Stadens outside Gqeberha as part of Operation Sikhona, when they boarded a vessel carrying more people than its permit allowed.
"Due to the non-compliance, a total of 4 633 tons of squid on board was confiscated by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and Environmental Affairs. The estimated value of the squid is R400 000," Naidu said.
She said police also seized 479 packets of dagga but no arrests were made.
Naidu said Operation Sikhona does not restrict policing to specific areas only but expands its duties beyond the shorelines as well.
