Cape Town: Marine Unit has no time for fishy business. Apart from several sizeable busts in recent weeks, the unit within the Law Enforcement Department of the City of Cape Town has also seen a notable increase in proactive patrols and checkpoints, among others.
The Marine Unit is one of the specialised units within Law Enforcement. They have 15 uniformed staff members, assisted by a small crop of volunteers.
During this period, the unit made at least a dozen arrests and impounded a vessel, with a raft of successes since mid-January that also led to the recovery of nearly 5000 West Coast rock lobster tails. On January 15, 2026 the officers arrested two men, aged 45 and 47, for the illegal possession of nearly 400 West Coast Rock Lobster tails in Ravensmead.
The very next day, in the same area, officers arrested a 50-year-old man from Uitsig in a shopping centre parking lot for the illegal possession and transportation of 300 West Coast Rock Lobster tails. Following this, on January 21, 2026 officers arrested three men (aged 26, 33 and 43) in the parking lot at Vangate Mall for the illegal possession of 1000 West Coast Rock Lobster tails.
On February 24, 2026 officers confiscated 3162 West Coast Rock Lobster tails at a house in Bishop Lavis and arrested a suspect, earlier on the same day, they assisted in an operation led by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE). Where DFFE confiscated four vessels and arrested 10 fishermen for catching crayfish in a Marine Protected Area off Cape Point.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Safety and Security – Alderman JP Smith said that the plundering of marine resources is a longstanding challenge in Cape Town. Apart from overfishing in general, the poaching of resources like abalone and rock lobster to fund criminality is an issue that has demanded constant attention.
The Marine Unit of the City of Cape Town works closely with other agencies being responsible for policing this space. The uptick in operations and successes speaks to the unit’s commitment to the cause. Further, the Marine Unit’s activities are not limited to the coastline.
They also work closely with other City Departments, particularly in the conservation rangers within the Environmental Management Department to address some of the more regular non-compliance issues related to by-law transgressions within the city owned nature reserves.
Alderman Smith stated that its worth reminding the public that while they all have equal access to nature, they can’t simply do as they please when it comes to natural resources. Residents are requested that if they see something, or know something, then they should report it immediately. The city is dedicated to tip off-line guarantees anonymity to those who share information.