Monday, December 2, 2024

Offenders fined $55K+ for possession of illegal marine product at Hol Chan Marine Reserve

Share

Six persons were caught with undersized and out-of-season marine product in Zone B of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve on August 9th. With the assistance of the San Pedro Police Formation, Arquel Johnson, Geovanni Reyes, Brian Espat, Mark Anthony Espat, Delmar Rodriguez and Kevan Rodriguez were intercepted, apprehended, prosecuted and given fines totalling $55,200.

The six individuals were charged and arraigned in court on August 12th for obstruction, possession of undersized lobster, soft-shell lobster, spearfishing within Hol Chan and possession of out-of-season conch.

The culprits were observed in the act via camera as they were harvesting and cleaning conch in the vicinity of the Hol Chan Resort dock in Zone B of the reserve. When Hol Chan rangers were dispatched to the area, the persons disposed of the illegal marine product. The group was later apprehended with the help of the San Pedro Police.

Hol Chan hopes that these hefty fines will discourage others from engaging in such illegal activities.

Read more

 

Please help support Local Journalism in Belize

For the first time in the history of the island's community newspaper, The San Pedro Sun is appealing to their thousands of readers to help support the paper during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 1991 we have tirelessly provided vital local and national news. Now, more than ever, our community depends on us for trustworthy reporting, but our hard work comes with a cost. We need your support to keep delivering the news you rely on each and every day. Every reader contribution, however big or small, is so valuable. Please support us by making a contribution.

Local News