The Ministries of the Blue Economy and Sustainable Development, Climate Change, and Disaster Risk Management are reporting tonight that the Bacalar Chico National Park and Marine Reserve are under sustained attack by relentless encroachers who are engaging in illegal activity.
Several species of game have been hunted and traded, more vegetation has been cleared. The Government is reminding the public that according to the National Protect Areas System Act, the Wildlife Protection Act, the Forest Act, and the Fisheries Act, activities such as hunting, fishing, and land clearings should NOT take place within the Bacalar Chico National Park and Marine Reserve. Persons caught engaging in these illegal activities are risking a court fine which can be increased to a maximum of $20,000 and imprisonment of up to 2 years. Any illegal activity discovered inside the Marine Reserve itself attracts a fine of up to $5,000.
The Government is saluting those concerned citizens in San Pedro who alerted the relevant authorities to these ongoing illegal activities.
