People Please, Don't Eat The Crocs!

J’cans warned against capturing, consuming endangered reptile

THE National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) is advising people, who capture crocodiles for consumption to desist from this illegal practice or face prosecution. Speaking at the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Think Tank on Tuesday, NEPA Environmental Officer Monique Curtis said it is illegal to interfere with or be in possession of any part of the reptile, which is an endangered species and is protected under Jamaica's Wildlife Protection Act. Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Please--don-t-eat-the-crocs-_15103444#ixzz2fShgdNLh LATEST NEWS: More stories... Update: Mandeville businessman shot dead in robbery 11:56 AM Police identify man fatally shot downtown Kingston 11:45 AM JLP threatens boycott if Azan remains in office 11:16 AM twitter Facebook Page YouTube™ Channel News Please, don't eat the crocs! J’cans warned against capturing, consuming endangered reptile Friday, September 20, 2013 Print this page Email A Friend! THE National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) is advising people, who capture crocodiles for consumption to desist from this illegal practice or face prosecution. Speaking at the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Think Tank on Tuesday, NEPA Environmental Officer Monique Curtis said it is illegal to interfere with or be in possession of any part of the reptile, which is an endangered species and is protected under Jamaica's Wildlife Protection Act. [Hide Description] A crocodile takes a nap at the Hope Zoo in Kingston. [Restore Description] 1/2 Curtis was commenting on recent reports in the press, which stated that there has been an increase in the consumption of crocodile meat at various social events in the country. The penalty for capturing the reptiles, harming them or having any part of the creature in one's possession, living or dead is $100,000 and/or a prison term of up to two years. Curtis is urging people to stay away from the reptiles, noting that they serve a useful purpose by helping to clean Jamaica's marine system and provide benefit for the ecosystem. "They serve a purpose in our marine ecosystems. Being scavengers, they help with the health of our marine systems, which impacts the fish that we like to eat in Jamaica," she said. Meanwhile, she is encouraging persons to call NEPA if they have information about the reptile being consumed or persons having them as pets. "We do have information floating around in the media, in society, but when it comes to reporting it to the authorities so that action can be taken against the individual it never happens, and the authorities cannot do anything about it," she said.