AfriPulse
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA, together with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) and the City of Cape Town’s Law Enforcement teams, executed a coordinated operation at Hout Bay Harbour to combat the illegal feeding and harassment of Cape fur seals – a practice that has plagued the area for more than two decades.
Following weeks of intelligence gathering and meticulous planning, the joint operation resulted in four arrests:
Three individuals were arrested for the illegal feeding and harassment of seals, in contravention of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (NEMBA) and the Threatened or Protected Marine Species Regulations.
A fourth person was arrested for obstructing a DFFE official in the execution of their duties.
‘Serious offence’
The illegal feeding of seals is not a harmless act. It is a serious offence under Section 57(1) of NEMBA, which prohibits any restricted activity involving a threatened or protected species – such as feeding, harassing, or encouraging others to interact with wild animals – without a valid permit.
The Marine TOPS Regulations make it clear that such actions are illegal and carry hefty penalties including:
Up to 5 years imprisonment or
Fines of up to R5 million for a first offence, and up to R10 million or 10 years’ imprisonment for repeat offenders
The illegal feeders at Hout Bay Harbour have developed a pattern of exploiting tourists – charging money for selfies with seals, encouraging people to sit on, stroke, or touch them.
In many instances, tourists are verbally threatened or harassed if they do not pay.
Bites
This dangerous and exploitative behaviour has led to numerous seal bite incidents, which can result in serious injury, infection, or even death.
“Seals are wild animals, not photo props,” says Chief Inspector Jaco Pieterse of the Cape of Good Hope SPCA.
“When you feed or touch a seal, you not only break the law, but you also endanger the life of the animal and the people around it. No selfie is worth a scar – or a criminal record.”
Operations like this are not a once-off intervention. The task team, made up of the SPCA, Law Enforcement, Metro Police, DFFE, and the City’s Coastal Management, has committed to ongoing enforcement over the next two months, particularly during the festive season when the harbour sees high tourist activity. Spot checks, undercover surveillance, and uniformed patrols will continue on a rotational basis.
What the Public Needs to Know:
Do not feed, touch, or take
Source: The South African | Read the Full Story…
