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Men fined for hunting in the Game Reserve

Published Date: September 29, 2022

Attention: All News Editors     

Kingston, Jamaica                                                           

(29 September 2022):

MEN FINED FOR HUNTING IN GAME RESERVE

Ron Williams and Andrew Taylor were charged and prosecuted by the Natural Resources Conservation Authority (NRCA)/National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) for breaches of the Wild Life Protection Act, 1945. The individuals charged pleaded guilty to the when they appeared in the St Catherine Parish Court on Tuesday, 27 September 2022.

Both were sentenced by Her Honour Ms. Tracy-Ann Johnson, Parish Court Judge to pay a fine of $60,000 or to 30 days’ imprisonment for being in a game sanctuary in possession of animals or birds; and $50,000 or to 30 days’ imprisonment for carrying firearms into a game reserve.

The charges arose from joint monitoring activities conducted by NEPA, the agent of the Natural Resources Conservation Authority, and the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) on Saturday, 27 August 2022, when the team came across two hunters exiting the Portmore and Greater Portmore Game Reserve in St. Catherine with their weapons with game birds. Both hunters were issued warning notices and then subsequently charged with breaches of Wild Life Protection Act, 1945.

Speaking after the proceedings, Stewart Panton, Legal Officer, NEPA who obtained a fiat to prosecute these matters from the Director of Public Prosecutions said, “we continue to ensure that all participants in the annual hunting season are held accountable where breaches occur. This secures the long-term survival of our protected species.”

Hunting prohibited in game reserves

Hunting is prohibited within game reserves/sanctuaries, forest reserves, the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park, and within 50 metres of their boundaries. Individuals found in breach will be prosecuted. They may be fined up to $100,000 and or face up to twelve months in prison.

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Hunters are also being reminded that the 2022 Game Bird Shooting Season closed on Sunday, 25 September 2022 at 9:00 am. The shooting of game birds during the closed season is strictly prohibited under the law. The public is encouraged to report all incidents of illegal shooting of game birds to NEPA at (876)754-7540 ext. 3602, toll-free: 888-991-5005, 119 or the nearest police station.

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Public Education and Corporate Communication Branch (PECCB)

National Environment and Planning Agency

Tel: 876-754-7540, ext. 2751; Fax: 876-754-7596

Email: ollyvia.anderson@nepa.gov.jm

Website: www.nepa.gov.jm