EP54 | WE GET CAUGHT POACHING! | West coast part 7 | Sailing Pluto

The west coast has a huge problem with poaching and the coastal police have their hands full in trying to stop the illegal harvesting of Abalone and controlling illicit and organised crime syndicates exporting the poached goods.
Ninety-five percent of the poached Abalone in South Africa is smuggled out of the country to countries in South-East Asia, where it is a high-priced delicacy. We get stopped and searched at 5:30am one morning and it turns into an adventurous morning. It has to be said that the guys were only doing their jobs and we had no issue with being stopped.
On a lighter note, we get gifted with a box filed with goodies and treats and eat fresh fish, caught by the local fisherman.
If you want to support the items shown in the gift box, please do so. They will make great Christmas gifts for you or your loved ones and by buying from them, you will be supporting a small business. This was what was in the box:
- A handmade jug made from Stoneware clay and glazed in Cloud White from @shirley_theartfullplace
- @Spazastore dish and bowl covers. This beautiful product is locally handmade by woman. It is a perfect alternative to plastic wrap that we have all become so accustomed to using.
- Wine from @DawnPatrolwines - Dawn Patrol Wines is a South African sustainable wine brand dedicated to giving back to the environment. For each bottle sold a percentage of the profit goes to NPO Ocean Pledge.
- ImPly birch plywood wine rack from @bokkeandblomme. This is wonderful stackable design to display your home wine collections.
- A piece of @Curb_beachplastic environmental art by Janet Ormond. This piece is titled, The Jbay Surfer, and is made with beach plastic collected off the shores of Southern Africa. Creating awareness to the problem our oceans are facing against plastic pollution.
- Wearable art by local jeweller and artist @stefnimuller "Vulnerability”
We all can help each other by spreading good news, support and educating each other on how we can make a difference - from education around plastic pollution, understanding how local communities make a living and support their families to knowing who is out there trying to grow their own business. Together we are stronger.
#Plasticfreeeveryday #supportlocal
xx Niche

[@Mylifelovingit]

Glad the guys where friendly. Sometimes those cops can go on power trips

[@SailingPluto]

It was a bit borderline initially with the first batch of them not identifying themselves first, but they eventually did and relaxed. Christo stood his ground too (in a nice way)

[@liongod1000]

*_ Lekker to hear some of our cops are doing their work 'Properly' _*

[@SailingPluto]

We thought so too