Quick Action Saves Marine Turtle Eggs
By James Kon

Bandar Seri Begawan - Quick interception by an enforcement officer from the Fisheries Department following a tip-off has saved endangered marine turtle eggs from ending up on the dining table.

The seller was caught red-handed inside one of the buildings in Beribi on Saturday (October 4) before all the turtle eggs were sold off.

Three officers from the Brunei Museum Department were alerted to confiscate the remaining 98 eggs of which 42 eggs were already sold. The offender, a Brunei citizen, had confessed that the eggs were smuggled in from a neighbouring country. The Museums and Fisheries Departments will jointly and further investigate the matter.

All marine turtles in the world, including at least four species found in Brunei waters are highly endangered and listed by CITES ( Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna Flora, in which Brunei Darussalam is a member since 1990). Hunting, Capturing, Killing, collecting eggs and having possession of trophies from such species is a serious offence in Brunei Wildlife Protection Act which could lead to a penalty of one year imprisonment and s fine of $2,000.

The Campaign on CITES and Brunei Wildlife Protection Act was launched last March at the Berakas International Airport Lounge. Talks on the campaign were staged in Tutong and Kuala Belait Districts which involved Mukim Penghulu, Kampong Ketua, Pet shops and related drug store owners.

To create better awareness, the Brunei Museum will distribute more posters on wildlife Protection Act to be posted at various border entry points and strategic locations to inform and remind the public on the provision of the law for bringing in endangered animal species into the country.

The Brunei Museum Department hopes that a vigilant spirit of nationalism will continue to protect the nation’s worldwide reputation on biodiversity conservation.  -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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