The National Parks Board (NParks) are currently having their hands full with the rising numbers of illegal poachers in Singapore's parks and nature reserves.
Cases of illegal fishing form the bulk of the offences — The New Paper reports that the number of people caught doing so has almost tripled over the past three years. Last year, 271 summons were handed out as compared to 96 in 2012.
Attention on illegal fishing cases surfaced recently when founder of nature conservation and environmental group Nature Trekker Ben Lee witnessed three men floating on makeshift styrofoam raft at the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve — they were spotted casting nets and catching fishes for themselves.
The men have since been questioned by the the police and had their equipments seized. Investigations are currently ongoing.
Those caught fishing illegally will be issued a composition fine of $50 on their first offence and $200 on their second offence. They will face prosecution and fines of up to $3,000 for subsequent offences.
Photo: Ben Lee / Nature Trekker
The National Parks Board (NParks) are currently having their hands full with the rising numbers of illegal poachers in Singapore's parks and nature reserves.
Cases of illegal fishing form the bulk of the offences — The New Paper reports that the number of people caught doing so has almost tripled over the past three years. Last year, 271 summons were handed out as compared to 96 in 2012.
Attention on illegal fishing cases surfaced recently when founder of nature conservation and environmental group Nature Trekker Ben Lee witnessed three men floating on makeshift styrofoam raft at the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve — they were spotted casting nets and catching fishes for themselves.
The men have since been questioned by the the police and had their equipments seized. Investigations are currently ongoing.
Those caught fishing illegally will be issued a composition fine of $50 on their first offence and $200 on their second offence. They will face prosecution and fines of up to $3,000 for subsequent offences.
Photo: Ben Lee / Nature Trekker