Eighteen illegal fishermen were arrested, and a large number of boats and kilometres of fishing nets were removed and confiscated when law enforcement units on Hartbeespoort Dam clamped down on illegal fishing on Monday.

Various locations where illegal fishermen hide were discovered.

The multi-departmental operation on the dam is part of the police’s Operation Shanela that focuses on illegal fishing. According to police spokesperson Constable Ben Moabi, the operation included the stock theft and detective units of the police, Hartbeespoort Dam Marine Law Enforcement Unit (SAMSA Law Enforcement Unit), SRU Security, the Departments of Environmental Affairs, North West Parks, Home Affairs and Madibeng.
“Eighteen suspects were arrested for illegal fishing and illegal immigration,” he said. Many boats and nets were seized. “Live fish were returned to the dam, and the rest were disposed of at Hartbeespoort police station.”
Hundreds of suspects fled when law enforcement units hit various spots around the dam.
Arthur Crewe, of the Hartbeespoort Dam Marine Law Enforcement Unit and the NSRI, welcomed the operation. “It took major coordination, and we are thankful for the police and various government departments’ assistance in addressing this serious issue at Hartbeespoort Dam. Also thank you to any other unmentioned role-players and security companies involved.”
Crewe said that although the focus was on illegal fishing, it was also a crime prevention operation.
The NSRI and Marine Law Enforcement Unit have been removing illegal fishing nets on a regular basis over the last months. “Apart from being illegal, the nets pose a huge threat to boaters. The nets get entangled in boats’ propellers, and many had to be rescued by the NSRI,” Crewe said. A marine law enforcement officer was injured during such an incident when the law enforcement boat got stuck in illegal fishing nets. “The situation has become extremely dangerous for boaters.”
Crewe said the Marine Law Enforcement Unit will continue with operations to find and remove nets in ongoing attempts to curb illegal fishing at Hartbeespoort Dam.

Kilometres of fishing nets were removed and confiscated.