Tougher fines for illegal hunting

EXPECT tougher fines for illegal hunting and stricter management measures in 2019.

This was the warning the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries after President Paula-Mae Weekes assented to the recently passed Finance Act 2018 which sets increased penalties for infractions under the Conservation of Wildlife Act.

From January 1, wildlife poachers will face fines as much as 50 times over what is currently on the law books.

The minister also has the power to increase the limit of prescribed fines.

In a statement, the ministry said while the stricter fines are for environmentally sensitive species (ESS), which includes the scarlet ibis, there is a need for the increase in fines for the illegal capture of other species of wildlife which have not been declared an ESS.

This, it said, is to demonstrate the severity of an offence, the potential impact it has on conservation efforts and the intention of government to deter illegal hunting.

The ministry said it has noted, with concern, recent reports of illegal hunting and consumption of protected species, including the red howler monkey and the lesser anteater as well as an upsurge of smuggled wildlife from neighbouring Venezuela and Guyana.

“These and other indiscretions, must be met with the appropriate legislative action to increase: fines, surveillance and co-operation amongst the Ministries of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries; National Security; and Health, especially as there is a real threat of the introduction of zoonotic diseases,” the ministry said.

It also added that Minister Clarence Rambharat remained committed to monitor the activities during the hunting and closed seasons, so as to determine what further actions are required to strike the balance between hunting in the open season as well as the need for the sustainable management of wild life resources and public safety issues.

Come 2019, the applicable fines for hunting activities include: $10,000 for hunting in a game sanctuary (up from $1,000); $10,000 for hunting protected animals without a special game licence (up from $1,000); $1,500 for failing to produce a State game licence (up from $100); $4,000 for failing to obtain a State game licence (up from $400); $10,000 for hunting while disqualified (up from $2,000); $10,000 for hunting during the closed season/exercising dogs during the closed season (up from $2,000); $5,000 for failing to give place of abode/giving false place of abode (up from $100); $10,000 for assaulting, obstructing/resisting a game warden (up from $1,000); $10,000 for payment of compensation instead of fine (up from $200); $10,000 for export of animals without permission (up from $2,000); $5,000 for offences without fines specified (up from $200) and a $10,000 limit of the minister to prescribe fines under the regulations (up from $200).

The ministry said in December, TT acceded to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals which is the only global convention specialising in the conservation of migratory species, their habitats and migration routes.

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