Global News - September 2007

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Officials arrest Chinese turtle smugglers

Mon 17 September 2007 13:50 UK — Asia

Officials in the south-west Philippines have arrested a number of Chinese fishermen who were attempting to smuggle rare marine turtles out of the country.

Wildlife organisations in the country have reported that local authorities patrolling the Sulu Archipelago stopped a Chinese fishing vessel for a routine inspection.

On board, they found over 200 endangered turtles. While most of the creatures were dead, nine were still alive. These animals were released back into the sea.

Local wildlife expert Filemon Romero commented: "This is by no means the first time that foreign nationals encroached upon Philippine waters to plunder its rich but dwindling marine resources.

"While we are not lacking environmental laws, enforcement and the political will to see these cases through leads much to be desired.

"We are hopeful that the accused who committed these environmental crimes will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

The Chinese crew will be prosecuted for breaching country's Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act. They now face fines of PHP1 million (£10,818) and long jail sentences.

Many of the illegally-caught animals were green turtles, which are listed as Endangered IUCN Red List.

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