A suspected poacher has drowned, another left wounded and one more is believed to be missing at sea in Hermanus after they apparently tried to flee law enforcement officers who “rode over them with their rubber duck”, according to poachers who reported the incident to police.
They said the men were crushed by the boat after officials from the Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries gave chase near Pearly Beach on May 26.
However, DAFF spokesperson Carol Moses denies this and says suspects were injured after they jumped off their own boat, a rubber duck, and tried to flee from officials.
Photos of the dead man and his friends’ injuries were sent to the Daily Voice.
HURT: Suspect apparently got injured in chase
Moses explains the department has been intensifying searches for poachers along the Hermanus coastline.
She says on Saturday, members were chasing suspected poachers who were on a boat when the skelms jumped off their vessel to escape arrest.
On the boat, officials found poaching and diving equipment.
“The latest confiscation took place on Saturday, 26 May, when a boat of suspected poachers was pursued by law enforcement officers,” says Moses.
“The suspects reportedly jumped from the boat, after which a search ensued. No arrests have been made.
“The boat was found to have more than 2 400 abalone units and 33 diving cylinders and other diving equipment which were confiscated.”
She adds over the past three weeks, DAFF managed to arrest more than 40 suspected poachers and seized five boats linked to poaching in Gansbaai.
Captain FC Van Wyk says an inquest docket was opened after the body of suspected poacher Mortimer Booysen washed up on Tuesday.
Law Enforcement boat allegedly rammed group of poachers
He says police have been investigating claims by poachers who said they were hit by a DAFF vessel.
“There was an incident with a DAFF vessel which seized an 8m rubber duck with 30 bags of abalone and diving equipment. The suspects jumped overboard to escape arrest.”
He says an enquiry was opened at Gansbaai SAPS after it was reported that one of the suspects who was on the rubber duck, was missing.
He says the National Sea Rescue Institute immediately launched a search, but the person was not found.
It is believed one of the men was left with injuries to his arm and was taken to a hospital in Hermanus where he was treated.