Undersized fish as small as a child’s hand, live crabs as big as side plates and kob of more than a metre in length were among the haul of illegal fish confiscated by Port Elizabeth police at a shop and adjoining warehouse in Nelson Mandela Bay on Friday.
Police swooped on Lucky Star China Supermarket near Govan Mbeki Avenue after midday in what a fisheries inspector at the scene described as a “significant bust”.
Police also seized illicit cigarettes valued at R80,000.
The joint operation, according to Port Elizabeth police spokesperson Captain Johan Rheeder, specifically targeted contraband goods in the Mount Road police cluster area.
It involved members of the SAPS visible policing unit, Customs, SAPS Border Police and the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, along with a contraband and counterfeits expert.
Two Chinese nationals, a man and a woman, were arrested at the large premises which straddles a central business district block between Robertson and Cawood Streets.
They are expected to appear in court soon.
Two dogs, believed to be used to guard the store, were removed and taken to animal welfare authorities.
Speaking off the record, authorities at the scene said judging by the species found there and other evidence – which included an admission – it was believed that the fish were caught in Algoa Bay waters.
Some of the fish and crab species seized were also linked to the Swartkops River.
With the exception of the live mud crabs, the fish were discovered in seven large chest freezers at the rear of the store.
“The species confiscated ranged from steenbras, garrick and spotted grunter to octopus, mullet and oysters,” Rheeder said.
“Most of the fish species are found in estuaries. At this stage it is believed that the fish were sourced from fishermen operating at the Swartkops River, from ski boats out in the bay and from boats in the harbour.
“The live crabs, of which there were seven, will be released into the river.
“These are not commercial species, which means that they cannot be sold, but only caught for personal use and as per permits issued and in stipulated quantities,” Rheeder said
The exact number and collective weight of the haul were not released yesterday as authorities were still counting and documenting the confiscated fish.
“We appeal to the public to report illegal activities so that we can protect our natural resources,” Rheeder said.