Monastir to fine anyone catching sea turtles

Monastir is Tunisia’s first municipality to set a 1,000-dinar fine in an attempt to protect sea turtles, which are an endangered species in the Mediterranean.

”Anyone who captures, sells, or transports a sea turtle in the territory of the City of Monastir will be punished with a fine of 1,000 dinars,” the regulation states.

The news was reported in a statement by the environmental association Notre Grand Bleu, which welcomed the decision and noted that that this was the first decision by a local Tunisian authority to protect biodiversity.

Despite being classified as an endangered species, sea turtles continue to be fished in Tunisia and sold in some illegal markets.

Sea turtles are vital for marine biodiversity and the health of the oceans and are protected in Tunisia by law.

TunisianMonitorOnline

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