The recent death of a marine turtle on Praia das Sete Ondas sparked outrage on social media in Sao Tome and Principe. The incident has brought attention to the country's laws and regulations regarding the protection of marine turtles. According to the law, the capture, commercialization, possession, transportation, and exportation of marine turtles and their products are prohibited. The law also prohibits damaging nests and collecting eggs of this species.
The Decreto-Lei n.º 8/2014 regulates the capture and commercialization of marine turtles and their products. The law prohibits activities related to marine turtles, including capture, commercialization, possession, transportation, and exportation. The Lei n.º 11/1999 on the Conservation of Fauna, Flora, and Protected Areas of STP also provides for the protection of marine turtles. Additionally, the Lei n.º 10/1999 defines the general principles of environmental policy, including the protection of biodiversity and conservation of nature.
Sao Tome and Principe has ratified the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which has been integrated into the country's national legislation. However, there are exceptions to the prohibition on capturing marine turtles, with special authorization from the Direção-Geral do Ambiente e Ação Climática for scientific research purposes.
The authors of the recent marine turtle death on Praia das Sete Ondas have acted in clear violation of the laws and must be held accountable. According to the Decreto-Lei n.º 8/2014, infringers are subject to a fine of 15,000 dobras. However, the fine has been criticized for being too low and not having a sufficient deterrent effect.
The law provides for a deadline of 10 days for the payment of the fine, with increased penalties for repeat offenders. In cases of non-compliance, a judicial process can be initiated. There are calls for the legislation to be updated to reflect the severity of the crime and to hold perpetrators accountable.
Environmentalists are advocating for stricter penalties and more effective enforcement of the laws to protect marine turtles. They argue that the current fine is not sufficient to deter people from harming these protected species. The incident highlights the need for greater awareness and education about the importance of protecting marine turtles and their habitats.
The Sao Tome and Principe government is urged to take action to protect the country's marine biodiversity, including marine turtles. The country has been recognized as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, and it is essential to preserve this status by enforcing laws and regulations that protect the environment and wildlife.
Key points
- The fine for harming marine turtles in Sao Tome and Principe is 15,000 dobras, which has been criticized for being too low.
