A joint operation to curb illegal hunting and fishing has been successful with three hunters nabbed and wild meat confiscated during a river patrol at Burro-burro, Region Eight.
The joint operation was conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Iwokrama, the Fisheries Department and the Guyana Police Force on Thursday at the mouth of the Burroburro River, Iwokrama Rainforest Conservation.
The team’s objective was to observe any fishing and hunting activity and to investigate and ascertain if it was commercial. Upon investigation, a small aluminium boat was discovered on the right bank of the Burroburro River with a small generator powering a small freezer.
Further investigation revealed a significant quantity of wild meat in the freezer with evidence of powis being cleaned (plucked/ gutted) in the immediate vicinity.
The team subsequently detained three individuals and discovered several rounds of ammunition, which one of the individuals was apparently attempting to hide.
The police rank informed the three young men that they were hunting illegally for which they would be charged and were accompanied to Kurupukari Police Outpost.
The team made an inventory of all seized assets and stored them appropriately.
Approximately 13 labbas (170lbs) and six powis (30lbs) were found to be in the confiscated freezer.
The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry said it will continue to collaborate with the various agencies to continue similar operations to protect endangered animals and indigenous communities that depend on hunting for a livelihood.
To this effect, last Thursday, subject minister Robert Persaud submitted to the National Assembly the Wildlife Import and Export Bill of 2013 to be enforced by the Wildlife Management Authority and signed the Wild Management and Conservation Regulation of 2013 to be enforced by the EPA.
