THE Ministry of Fisheries will come down hard on those illegally slaughtering sea turtles without permits.
A statement from the ministry revealed that earlier warnings on the ban of sea turtle slaughter continued to fall on deaf ears.
Since the beginning of this year, the ministry continued to receive reports of illegal slaughters despite the ban which was currently in place.
“Under Regulation 5 of the Offshore Fisheries Management Regulations 2014, there is a ban on the harvest, sale, possession and transport of sea turtles, their eggs or any part of product of sea turtles,” the ministry said in a statement.
“The Ministry of Fisheries wishes to remind the public that penalties for any breach of the ban will result in instant fines with the potential of up to $50,000 for individuals and $100,000 for business entities.
“The specific ban applies to the killing, taking, landing, selling or offering or exposing for sale, dealing in, transporting, receiving or possessing any of the following sea turtle species.
“These turtle species include leatherback sea turtle, green sea turtle, loggerhead sea turtle, hawksbill sea turtle and olive ridley sea turtle.”
According to the statement, those caught committing the illegal act would face the full brunt of the law.
The public has been urged to allow sea turtles to grow and reproduce as they play a fundamental role in our oceans.
