The government has gazetted the Fisheries Protection of Turtles Amendment decree to ensure the rare turtles species in Fiji are well conserved and protected.

The regulation states that it is prohibited to in any way molest, take or kill turtles of any species, or sell, offer of expose for sale or export any turtle shell, flesh or derivatives or dig up, use, take or destroy turtle eggs of any species, or use turtle, turtle derivatives, eggs or shell for any purpose including education, research or tourism.

Minister for Primary Industries Joketani Cokanasiga said this will ensure stricter conservation laws in Fiji.

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Cokanasiga added that people wishing to slaughter turtles which are not on the endangered species list will still need a permit from the Ministry to do so for any purposes.

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