PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The recent arrest of an alleged abalone poacher near Plettenberg Bay has sent out a stern warning to criminals thinking of plundering natural resources.

While on patrol on 30 March, South African National Parks (SANParks) rangers at the Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park, suspected poaching activity at Grootbank. Grootbank is at Forest Hall on the western side of Nature's Valley.

Their suspicions were raised when they noticed four divers coming out of the sea and starting to run.

SANparks spokesperson JP Louw said rangers immediately called for back-up, and a prompt response of additional rangers, Plettenberg Bay police, and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment based in Gqeberha, led to the apprehension of one suspect after a chase.

"Unfortunately, the other three suspects ran into the thicker forest area, which made it difficult to continue their pursuit," Louw said.

The suspect is a 44-year-old man from Jeffrey's Bay. He was arrested with 34kg of abalone with an estimated street value of R62 333 and was detained at the Plettenberg Bay police station. 

It is believed that the suspect will appear in the local magistrate's court in due course.

Louw encouraged the public to report any suspicious activities that may threaten wildlife and protected areas.

No comment was received from the police.

SANParks rangers with a stash of confiscated abalone after apprehending the suspect.

‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’