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.
