The public was advised on April 2, 2020, of the closure of all protected areas to visitors and the public for the duration of the state of emergency. There remained, however, the duty of safeguarding all assets and resources from potential illegal activities and vandalism/theft of physical and natural assets on the sites.
As a result of enforcement activities, on April 24, 2020, Jose Angel Maravilla, Juaquin Ico, Florencio Choc, Elsueio Cho and Alfus Edwards, all of San Roman Village in the Stann Creek District were charged for the offenses of:
1) Illegal Entry into a Wildlife Sanctuary
2) Illegal Hunting within a Wildlife Sanctuary and
3) Illegal Fishing within a Wildlife Sanctuary.
All persons pleaded guilty to the three offenses and were individually levied a fine of $2,000 for each offense. Fines are to be paid over a five-month period commencing November 30, 2020, and culminating on March 31, 2021. Persons found in default of payment will receive one-year imprisonment.
The public is once again reminded that protected areas remain closed to the public as such persons found committing any offense in violation of the National Protected Areas Systems Act will be prosecuted.
