Wildlife organisations welcome the City of Cape Town and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment’s (DFFE) serious clampdown on the abuse and exploitation of seals on Cape shores, particularly in Hout Bay, as arrests were carried out in the past week and the SPCA’s recent rescue mission brings updates.
Rescue Mission Update
In reference to the large-scale operation led by the SPCA Cape of Good Hope with support from City staff to capture and relocate five habituated seals from Hout Bay harbour to Kleinsee in the Northern Cape early in November, the illegal seal feeding and cruel habituation of seals continues in the harbour.
According to the City, one of the five seals relocated to Kleinsee has already swum back to Hout Bay Harbour, a distance of more than 700 km in less than seven days.
“This incredible journey of more than 100 km per day by the seal demonstrates the power of habituation.
“Sadly, it also shows us that relocation of the habituated seals is not a viable ongoing solution for the welfare of the seals.”
The SPCA’s spokesperson Belinda Abraham confirmed this, saying: “One of the seals has unfortunately returned and we are working closely with the relevant authorities in this regard.”
Seal Exploiter Arrested
She also mentioned an individual was arrested last week, on Friday 24 November, by DFFE.
“The accused spent the weekend in custody and made his first appearance in the Wynberg Magistrates’ Court on Monday 27 November where he was granted R1 000 bail and released on condition that he stays away from the Hout Bay Harbour.”
The suspect will make a second court appearance in January next year.
“We support this action by the DFFE, which sees one of the main offenders being taken to task for illicit activities involving a wild and protected species.
“We trust that this will send a strong message to others, including those who pay to interact with the seals and are equally guilty of a crime.”
The City of Cape Town, DFFE and other stakeholders will align their forces over the coming months to try to put an end to the illegal, destructive and cruel practice of seals being fed, habituated and used as an illegal means of eliciting money from unsuspecting tourists visiting the Hout Bay harbour.
Interaction = Breaking the law
The City and DFFE warn the public, tour operators, tour guides and all visitors that feeding, approaching, harassing and disturbing seals is a criminal offence in terms of the Threatened or Protected Marine Species Regulations and an offence in terms of the City’s Coastal By-Law.
Anyone found feeding, disturbing or harassing seals at the Hout Bay harbour may be arrested and could face criminal charges.
The public is warned that the following activities could result in a spot fine of up to R3 000 in terms of the City’s Coastal Bylaw:
- Paying anyone to feed a seal or to get the seal to perform any tricks or acts
- Posing with a seal for a photograph
- Sitting on or touching a seal
- Being within 5 m of a seal
The City will continue to monitor the situation and will wait to see if any more of the relocated seals make the trip back to Hout Bay.
“We are appealing to members of the public, tour operators, tour guides and all our visitors to work with the City and DFFE to put an end to this abuse and cruelty that seals endure during training,” said the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayco member for spatial planning and environment, Eddie Andrews.
“We ask for responsible tourism that respects and appreciates our coastal wildlife from a safe and respectful distance, without interfering with the animals at all times.
Report incidents of animal abuse
The abuse, training and feeding of wild seals will stop if there is no incentive for those doing it.
DFFE also requests that anyone who witnesses the feeding and harassment of seals report the incident to envirocrime@dffe.gov.za.
