XN000022-1983-12-20 — Page 12

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1983

RESIDENTS WARNED ABOUT ENDANGERED SPECIES

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STUFFED SEA TURTLES, PURCHASED AS SOUVENIRS BY HONG KONG RESIDENTS VISITING SOUTHEAST ASIAN COUNTRIES, ARE STILL BE ING SEIZED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS BECAUSE IT IS ILLEGAL TO IMPORT THEM.

SINCE APRIL THIS YEAR, THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT HAS PROSECUTED 20 PEOPLE FOR ILLEGALLY IMPORTING SPECIMENS OF SEA TURTLE, WHICH ARE LISTED AS ENDANGERED UNDER THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) ORDINANCE.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT TODAY WARNED RESIDENTS NOT TO BUY THE SPECIMENS.

+SEA TURTLES ARE HIGHLY ENDANGERED TO THE POINT OF EXTINCTION, THAT IS WHY HONG KONG HAS IMPOSED THE CONTROL MEASURES,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

SINCE APRIL THIS YEAR, THE DEPARTMENT HAS SUCCESSFULLY PROSECUTED 43 CASES OF ILLEGAL IMPORTATION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES OF ANIMALS AND PLANTS,

FINES TOTALLING $19 100 WERE IMPOSED AND GOODS VALUED AT $322 000 WERE CONFISCATED BY COURTS.

THE DEPARTMENT ALSO SEIZED SEVEN PIECES OF PYTHON SKIN, SEVEN PIECES OF CROCODILE SPECIMENS, 70 OUNCES OF AMERICAN GINSENG AND ABOUT 1 200 KILOGRAMS OF ELEPHANT TUSKS.

IT IS AN OFFENCE TO IMPORT OR POSSESS ENDANGERED SPECIES OF ANIMALS AND PLANTS, INCLUDING THE IR PARTS, WITHOUT AUTHORISATION.

UNDER THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) ORDINANCE. A MAXIMUM FINE OF $5 000 MAY BE IMPOSED FOR A FIRST OFFENCE, AND A FINE OF $10 000 AND SIX MONTHS IMPRISONMENT, FOR A SUBSEQUENT OFFENCE.

THE ORDINANCE GIVES EFFECT TO THE CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA (CITIES) WHICH IS A TRADE AGREEMENT ENFORCED AT INTERNATIONAL BORDER CROSSINGS.

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