The illegal fishing case involving the fishing boat White Rose, owned by Port Elizabeth company Unathi-Wena, has been set down for April, the fishing authority said on Tuesday.
The Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries said representatives of the vessel were due to appear in the Bredasdorp Magistrate's Court on April 22.
The case relates to an incident in April 2019 in which the White Rose was caught allegedly fishing inside the De Hoop Marine Protected Area (MPA). The accused first appeared on February 4, according to Zolile Nqayi, a spokesperson for the department.
“Two accused have been charged — Tasneem Hajee representing Unati-Wena Fishing CC, the owner of the vessel, and the skipper of the vessel, Joao Muniz,” Nqayi said.
Westering-based Unathi Wena emerged last week as one of two Bay-based companies licensed in terms of the Demersal Shark Long Line Sector to fish for sharks.
Authorities working under Operation Phakisa's Initiative Five on integrated law enforcement swooped on the White Rose after it was detected in the De Hoop MPA between Infanta and Arniston. The vessel was not detained but was investigated when it arrived in Port Elizabeth on May 15.
Frances Craigie, chair of the initiative, said at the time that the skipper had been charged with fishing in a marine protected area. There were no irregularities with the confiscated catch so the boat was released and security of R150,000 was paid.
Unathi Wena was contacted on Monday but did not want to comment on the case.
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