Thursday, April 28, 2011

A local incident of overfishing

Overfishing is being practiced in many places all over the world and the consequences cannot be blamed on any particular fishery. In South Africa, overfishing can be seen mainly through the illegal fishing practices, with regards to the poaching of abalone or perlemoen, as it is commonly know as. Abalone poaching is rife is South Africa due to it’s economic value for gourmets, particularly in Asia. Known for its aphrodisiac qualities, it is a delicacy that has spawned illegal poaching and trade. This has led to the abalone population to diminish severely. (Marshall, 2002)

In Cape Town especially, the issue of abalone poaching is fierce. Leon Marshall, from National Geographic News (2002), states, “Poaching is most intense along a rugged coastline straddling the confluence of the Indian and the Atlantic Oceans at the southern tip of Africa and along a 100-mile (160-kilometer) stretch of South Africa's Western Cape coast.”

The various news articles and reports about abalone poaching busts also show how the issue is very intense in the Western Cape. The most recent case related to abalone poaching happened in 2010 when three Chinese men were arrested for the possession of over $1,5 million dollars worth of abalone. The three men have recently been sentenced and will serve severe jail time in South African prisons. (SADOCC, 2011) This is; however, only one case that has been heavily publicized in the media. Many other poachers are in still in practice in the Western Cape.

The environmental consequences of abalone poaching are similar to any other case of over exploitation with regards to marine life. The depletion of a particular marine species will negatively affect the ecosystem in which it lives. The depletion of the abalone species in this case will adversely affect other species that may have a symbiotic relationship with the abalone.

The major effect that abalone poaching has on the society of Cape Town; however, is that it promotes gangsterism. The high asking price of abalone by foreign Asian countries promotes locals to become involved in illegal fishing practices. Furthermore, these illegal fishing gangs compete against one another for resources and contracts and this leads to an increase in violent crimes amongst them.

References:

1. Marshall, L. (2002). Poaching, Smuggling Threaten Abalone Colonies in South Africa. Available: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/04/0402_020402_abalone.htm. Last accessed 17 April 2011.

2. SADOCC. (2011). Chinese nationals sentenced for involvement in abalone poaching. Available: http://www.sadocc.at/news/2011/2011-049.shtml. Last accessed 17 April 2011.

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