Turtle poachers in Baa atoll fined MVR 198,000 each
EPA had previously said that the people involved in the poaching were all residents of B. Kendhoo.
By
Aishath Fareeha Abdulla
Each of the seven people who were caught in February poaching turtles in Keyodhoo, an uninhabited island in Baa atoll, has been fined MVR 198,000.
When police embarked on the island, the seven people were in the processes of cooking the turtle meat.
Environment Protection Agency (EPA) Director General Ibrahim Naeem confirmed to Atoll Times on Monday that the turtle poachers have been fined. He said:
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They were fined MVR 198,000 each
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A total of MVR 1.38 million should be paid in fines
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They were given one month to pay the fine
The EPA had previously said that the people involved in the poaching were all residents of B. Kendhoo.
The EPA said it was working with the police. An employee of the Atoll Biosphere Reserve Office also went to the island and assisted the police in gathering evidence.
All the people were taken into custody but released after taking statements. The EPA had said it would take action after the investigation.
Although turtles and tortoise are protected species in Maldives, their meat is eaten in some atolls.
