Turtle catchers fined MVR 12,500

Three people arrested from L. Atoll for catching turtles – a protected animal – have been fined MVR 12,500.

The three people were arrested on April 9, while at uninhabited island Bokafushi – after catching the turtles.

Environment Protection Agency (EPA) released a statement on Wednesday, saying that the three individuals had illegally caught turtles, and had therefore been fined MVR 12,500 in accordance with Article 4 (a) of Environment Protection and Conservation Act.

They are required to pay the fine to EPA within 30 days.

EPA said in the statement that they repeatedly asked that protected animals not be caught, disturbed, injured, or their habitat damaged.

All turtles that live in Maldivian waters are categorized as protected species, effective from April 4, 2016.