By DENISE MAYCOCK
Tribune Freeport Reporter
dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
ANIMAL rights activists are expressing strong disappointment over the “lenient” sentence handed down to three individuals in Grand Bahama this week for the illegal capture and brutal slaughter of an endangered sea turtle.
Tip Burrows, executive director of the Humane Society of Grand Bahama, and Sam Duncombe of reEarth say that it sends “a bad message” to persons who violate the fisheries laws regarding the protection of endangered marine animals in The Bahamas.
They think the maximum penalty of a $3,000 fine or one-year imprisonment for the offence should have been imposed.
Ms Burrows believes that the charge of animal cruelty also should have been brought by the authorities.
Three people were charged Monday with possession of a marine turtle under Section 29A of the Fisheries Resources Regulations and Section 24 Subsection (1) of the Fisheries Resources Act Chapter 244.
They were given a conditional discharge, ordered to perform 500 hours of community service, and attend a voluntary intervention programme at Magistrate’s Court.
They were arrested after a video was circulated on social media, showing a man killing a loggerhead turtle by repeatedly bashing its head with a hammer.
Ms Burrows said the video was “horrific”.
“I actually could not finish watching it. I saw the first ten seconds of it and I was so horrified, I had to turn it off. I cannot understand that level of violence towards a living creature. And I am extremely disappointed in the sentence handed down, and extremely disappointed that the authorities did not bring animal cruelty charges on top of the fisheries law violation,” she said.
“The penalty for the offence is supposed to be a $3,000 fine or one year in prison, and they were ordered to perform community service. I just don’t understand it; I am very disappointed, and I just think that it sends a bad message in general, and how such a crime is not taken seriously.
“I don’t think it would deter anyone from doing the same thing,” added Ms Burrows, who thinks many people are still catching turtles and eating the meat secretly.
Ms Duncombe, of New Providence, agreed with Ms Burrows and said that the individuals were given a slap on the wrist.
“We need to send a strong message to other people who think it is okay (to catch and kill sea turtles) – it’s not okay.
“I am disappointed with the sentence because it does not go far enough to the penalty for killing endangered species. Turtles are endangered all over the world, and the Bahamas made a great step for turtle protection in 2009.
“The sentence does not deter persons who feel they do the same thing because they are going to get 500 hours of community service. I think the full penalty should have been imposed.”
Mrs Duncombe said the video was brutal and traumatising to watch.
“Watching it takes my breath away, and it was traumatising to others who saw it,” she said.
She commended Fisheries Department, the police and other authorities for acting so quickly in the matter following a release of the video on social media.
“Years ago, Bahamians ate turtle, but the government took a significant step to support the protection of endangered turtles, and the penalty should have been (in proportion) to all that went into making that law.
“I am disappointed that more was not done for that turtle. The beating it endured when there were less traumatic ways that it could have been done. I think that there is something wrong in bludgeoning a live creature that is not doing you any harm, it is very disturbing,” Ms Duncombe said.
A law passed in 2009 prohibits people from taking, possessing, buying or selling endangered sea turtles.
The three individuals were ordered to perform community service by repairing the roof of the Eight Mile Rock Magistrate’s Court and administration building. They were also ordered to attend a voluntary intervention programme on Saturdays at 6am at the EMR Magistrate’s Court.
The magistrate in the matter set it down for review on August 13.
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