Alikreukel Suspects Arrested

1. News

At 11:18 this morning members of the Seaview community reported people illegally collecting Alikreukel (South African Turban sea snails) in front of Main Road. A call was made to Inspector Dennis Mostert from DAFF and he dispatched an inspector to the scene.

Before the inspector arrived the suspects left the scene. I managed to carry out a citizens arrest in front of Spar and detained the suspects until the inspector arrived. He escorted the suspects to the Seaview SAPS and a docket was opened. The four men and two minors were found to have 435 alikreukel, 290 of which had already been removed from their shells and 145 that were still in their shells. Once they had all been counted and the suspects charged I returned the living ones to where they belonged.

It is really nice to have the community playing a role in the protection of our marine environment. We have recently launched the Algoa Bay Hope Spot and we need to keep up with the objectives, so it is great to see people that are passionate about the marine environment and will do something if they see anyone harming it!

During December another 4 suspects were apprehended in front of Seaview, also with alikreukel and again with help from the community. They did have one permit so I allowed them to keep 5 and return the rest to the sea.