NEPA
pleads: no illegal hunting
The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) has
received reports that illegal bird shooting is taking place in parts of
Portland, and in the Hartlands area of St. Catherine. The Agency would
like to advise the public that the hunting season HAS NOT BEEN DECLARED.
It is therefore ILLEGAL TO SHOOT BIRDS AT THIS TIME and without a
Hunter’s Licence from NEPA. This WILL NOT BE SOLD until a season has
been declared.
It is illegal to shoot birds outside
the hunting season, which usually starts in August. Hunting birds
outside the season is a breach of the Wild Life Protection Act and
carries a maximum penalty of $100,000 and or 12 months in prison.
Teams from NEPA and the Island Special
Constabulary Force (ISCF) are currently monitoring traditional shooting
areas. Enforcement Coordinator at NEPA Theodore Rhone says officers
will be “cracking down on offenders and a zero tolerance approach will
be adopted”.
“We will be enforcing the Wild Life
Protection Act and the Hunters Licences Regulation regarding the seizure
and forfeiture of all conveyances involved in the commission of an
offence and we will arrest on sight anyone we see hunting outside the
season. Their firearms will be seized and if they are caught with birds
in their vehicles, those will also be seized”, Mr. Rhone said.
The public is being advised that all
illegal shooting should be reported to NEPA on 754 7540 extn: 2224, 2412
or 2408; or to the Police. Please note that the public will be informed
via the media when the 2005 bird-shooting season is declared.
