Agriculture Minister Announces Closure of 2023-2024 Hunting Season
Published on
March 1, 2024
March 1st, 2024:- Senator the Honourable Kazim Hosein, Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, wishes to notify the public of the closure of the 2023-2024 Hunting Season effective March 1st, 2024.
Minister Hosein reiterates his commitment to preserving this country’s ecological balance, stating, “I am deeply committed to safeguarding our precious wildlife and preserving their habitats for present and future generations. We must recognise the critical importance of ensuring the sustainability of our diverse ecosystems.”
In light of this commitment, the Minister is urging strict adherence to the regulations set forth for the closure of the hunting season. He says, “These regulations are not mere guidelines but essential safeguards to protect our environment and the well-being of our invaluable wildlife.”
Minister Hosein wishes to remind the public that failure to comply with these regulations will result in legal consequences, “The Ministry is steadfast in upholding the laws that protect our natural heritage.”
The following regulations apply during this period:
I. Hunting Prohibition: Hunting activity of game animals must cease on all lands of Trinidad and Tobago.
II. Carcass Disposal Deadline: Persons have until March 31st, 2024, to dispose of Game Animal carcasses (or any part thereof) from their property or possession.
III. Data Return Requirement: Holders of Hunting Permits purchased for the 2023-2024 Hunting Season must submit the Mandatory Data Return Forms on or before May 31st, 2024.
IV. Enforcement of Regulations: Failure to comply with the completion and return of data forms by May 31st, 2024, may result in a summary conviction with a penalty of Five Thousand Dollars (TT$5000.00) per form.
V. Penalties for Non-Compliance: Members of the public are kindly asked to refrain from hunting during the closed season as perpetrators will incur a fine of One Hundred Thousand Dollars (TT$100,000.00) as amended by Legal Notice 275 of 2020.
Mandatory Data Forms can be submitted to any of the following stations:
District Revenue Office, Tunapuna: 868-662-2797
Forestry Office, Rio Claro: 868-225-3743
District Revenue Office, Chaguanas: 671-4773
Forestry Division, Long Circular Road, St. James: 225-3861
Forestry Division, Balisier Avenue, Pleasantville, San Fernando: 225-3777 / 3774 / 3772
Forestry Division, Sangre Grande: 225-3728
Department of Natural Resources & Forestry, Milshirv Administrative Complex, Corn. Milford and Shirvan Road, Tobago: 868-639-2273
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