Grand Bahamian men Arrested for collaboration in Killing of Turtle

#Bahamas, March 8, 2018 – Grand Bahama – The Royal Bahamas Defence Force acted quickly in partnership with the Department of Fisheries when a particular gruesome video of a man beheading a loggerhead turtle, a species that has been protected by law since 2009 surfaced yesterday on social media.  Less than twelve hours after the video aired, three Grand Bahamians have been charged with violating Section 244 of the Fisheries Jurisdiction & Conservation 2009 Section 29 that is Subject to Regulation 32, where “no person shall take, have in his possession, buy or sell — (a) marine turtles; (b) marine turtle parts; or (c) marine turtle eggs.”

A four member team from the Royal Bahamas Defence Force’s section detached to Freeport led by Chief Petty Officer Fred Smith collaborated with Assistant Superintendent of Fisheries Clement Campbell and located the man identified in the video as a native of West End Grand Bahama.

He then led authorities to a restaurant where he had sold the turtle meat for $160.  The business partners at that establishment were subsequently arrested for purchasing the protected species.

All three were taken to the West End Police Station for questioning and are expected to face charges on Friday morning.  The Freeport detachment is led by Lieutenant Commander Chappell Whyms and forms a strategic part of the Force’s Northern Command.  The Royal Bahamas Defence Force’s mandate of Guarding our Heritage extends to protecting our endangered species and environment.

Release: RBDF

Header: Grand Bahamian man being led away by Defence Force Marines on March 7, 2017. He was allegedly responsible for the beheading of a loggerhead turtle, a species that has been protected by law since 2009.

First insert: The stored packages of the loggerhead turtle in the cooler at a restaurant in Grand Bahama. A total of three individuals were arrested for their roles in the killing of the endangered species.

Second insert: The shell remains of a loggerhead turtle which was beheaded on March 7, 2017 in Freeport, Grand Bahama. Three men were arrested for the incident seen on social medial.

(Photos courtesy of RBDF Northern Detachment)

(For further information please contact the RBDF Public Relations Department or visit our website: www.rbdf.gov.bs, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and view our Youtube channel) -rbdf-

#GuardOurHeritage

#MarlinSpike

#operationconservation