The group of people who slaughtered and consumed turtles in B, Keyodhoo, an uninhabited island, has been slapped with an MVR 198,000 fine each.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s Director General Ibrahim Naeem said such a huge fine was imposed for the seven people after considering all legalities.

He detailed that the seven people were fined on June 20th, with a deadline of 30 days to settle the fine.

A group of people were found cooking turtle meat in an uninhabited island in B. Atoll on February 3, 2023.

The incident took place on February 3rd of this year.

Police found the group cooking turtle meat in Keyodhoo during a raid carried out in response to intel received claiming the same.

Capture and harm of turtles is prohibited under Maldives’ Environmental Protection Act.

Causing harm to a single turtle is punishable with a fine of MVR 20,000. If the harm is inflicted on more than one turtle, perpetrators are fined MVR 25,000 for each turtle.