April 3, 2012
The National Environment and Planning Agency is warning persons against the shooting of Ring Tail Pigeons and other species of birds outside the scheduled bird hunting season.
NEPA has received increasing reports of persons shooting in a number of locations particularly in the parish of Portland. NEPA Enforcement Officers are working closely with the Island Special Constabulary Force (ISCF) in the parish of Portland, and the Firearm Licensing Authority of Jamaica to apprehend and charge persons involved in this illegal practice.
NEPA wishes to remind the public that under Section 6 of the Wild Life Protection Act it is illegal to hunt birds which are protected including the Ring Tail Pigeon.
The last Game Bird Hunting Season ran from August 20 to September 25, 2011.
The penalty for breaching the Wild Life Protection Act (WLPA) is a maximum fine of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), and or twelve months imprisonment.
If you observe a breach of the Wild Life Protection Act please call 754-7540 or 1-888-991-5005.