SARAH BAARTMAN

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Patrol boat intercepted six Chinese trawlers

Six Chinese fishing trawlers were detained and issued with fines after they had entered South African waters without the required permissions and were interecepted by the 'Sarah Baartman' on April 7, 2020. The Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, said the vessels were detected entering the South African Exclusive Economic Zone off the Northern Cape coast after being ordered out of Namibian waters by that country's authorities. The fishery patrol vessel intercepted the vessels off the Western Cape coast and ordered them to the outer anchorage of the Port of Cape Town. Tollowing the interception of the vessels, the Chinese Embassy submitted a Diplomatic Note requesting permission for the trawlers to shelter in Cape Town from adverse weather conditions. Officials inspected the vessels and no fish was found on board. All their fishing gear had been stored as per the Marine Living Resources Act. The vessels were subsequently fined for entering South African waters without permission. Once the fines had been paid, the six trawlers were released and monitored as they sailed out of South African waters. Whilst off Port Elizabeth, the vessels requested and were granted permission to shelter in Algoa Bay from adverse weather conditions.