Cape Town – Nine suspects have been arrested while attempting to illegally harvest abalone and lobsters within the Robben Island Marine Protected Area.
The suspects, using “rubber ducks”, were arrested in two separate incidents earlier this week, on Tuesday and Thursday.
Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment Minister Willie Aucamp has commended the arrest of the suspected poachers who tried to illegally harvest marine resources within the Robben Island Marine Protected Area.
Warning against such practices, Minister Aucamp stated: “I want to send a stern warning to poaching syndicates that the senseless and untethered poaching and plundering of our natural resources will come to an end, whether they like it or not”.
He said the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE) initiated these arrests during two separate incidents involving attempts to illegally harvest marine resources.
“We will continue to fight until we win the fight against poaching,” Minister Aucamp stated.
In the first incident on the evening of Tuesday, 7 April 2026, two “rubber ducks” carrying suspects approached the Robben Island Marine Protected Area, and the DFFE officials responded immediately.
To evade arrest, the suspects rammed their dinghy into a vessel belonging to the department, causing damage to both vessels.
However, two suspects were apprehended and handed over to the Table Bay Police Station.
The rubber duck used in the incident was recovered with assistance from South African National Parks (SANParks) and the National Sea Rescue Institute.
In the second incident on Thursday, 9 April 2026, DFFE officials were again alerted about two rubber ducks headed toward the Robben Island Marine Protected Area.
A joint response by DFFE and SANParks resulted in the interception and arrest of seven suspects during the early hours of Friday, 10 April 2026.
No serious injuries were sustained by Department or SANParks officials during these two operations.
“The department continues to collaborate with relevant authorities to strengthen enforcement operations and ensure the protection and sustainability of South Africa’s marine biodiversity,” said Minister Aucamp.
“In fact, we have recently established a joint enforcement-based task team with other relevant stakeholders, including Western Cape Province, City of Cape Town, South African Police Services, and SANParks, to further intensify the fight against the illegal use of natural resources.”
Minister Aucamp has urged all stakeholders, including citizens and community leadership, to join the fight by remaining vigilant and supporting ongoing efforts to combat the illegal exploitation of our marine resources.
