A JOINT operation to curb illegal hunting and fishing has resulted in three hunters being nabbed on Thursday by a river patrol at the mouth of the Burro–Burro River in the vicinity of Iwokrama.

The trio was caught with approximately 13 labbas, having a combined weight of 170 pounds, and six powis, weighing accumulatively 30 pounds. The meat and the freezer in which it was found were confiscated.

The operation was conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment; Iwokrama; the Fisheries Department and the Guyana Police Force.

The team’s objective was to intercept any fishing and hunting activity and to ascertain whether it was commercial, a release from the Ministry of Natural Resources said.

Following investigations, a small aluminum boat was discovered on the right bank of the Burro-Burro River with a small generator powering a small freezer. Further investigations revealed the presence of a significant quantity of wild-meat in the freezer, with evidence of powis being cleaned (plucked and degutted) in the immediate vicinity, the release said.

The team subsequently detained three individuals, and uncovered several rounds of ammunition which one of the men was apparently attempting to hide. The police rank informed the three young men caught that they were hunting illegally, and that they would be charged. He then invited them to Kurupukari Police Outpost, where all the items seized were properly inventorised and appropriately stored.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment has meanwhile said it would continue collaborating with the various agencies, to continue similar operations with a view to protecting endangered animals and indigenous communities that depend on hunting for a livelihood.

As recently as last Thursday, the Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Hon. Robert M. Persaud, submitted to the National Assembly the Wildlife Import and Export Bill of 2013 to be enforced by the Wildlife Management Authority, and signed the Wildlife Management and Conservation Regulation of 2013, to be enforced by the Environmental Protection Agency.