The Hol Chan Marine Reserve is one of the most visited sites on the island of San Pedro and the Reserve’s Management works arduously in keeping the area well protected in order to conserve its abundant marine life. On Tuesday, July 31, 2012, five persons were caught fishing in the no-take-zone and were arrested by the San Pedro Police.
Hol Chan Marine Reserve Manager Miguel Alamilla told Ambergris Today that they have been working very hard in monitoring the area since they have had reports of illegal activities being carried out late at night in the area.
Park rangers are out on a daily basis at Hol Chan Marine Reserve Zone A, this is the main area of the reserve which is used for recreational diving, swimming and viewing of the reef. Zone A comprises of 7 square kilometers and protects the back reef, reef crest and fore reef. The area was established as a no-take zone to restore the natural ecological balance.
Park rangers are out on a daily basis at Hol Chan Marine Reserve Zone A
Alamilla stated that the rangers conducted random spot check on the area at about midnight and caught five persons fishing in the area and were immediately arrested. The five caught fishing illegally in the protected area were Isaul Coba, Melvin Montesino, Guillermo Valdez, Michael Melvin Kuhn and Roan Gonzalez.
“We will continue to work hard in protecting the area and we are still monitoring similar cases and those who are caught will be penalized to the full extent of the law,” stated Miguel Alamilla.
The five were presented with their charges on Wednesday, August 1, 2012, and are scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, August 14, 2012. They are liable to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months, or to both such fine and imprisonment.
