Fined over 137 million for snail catchers in Con Dao National Park

On October 6, the People's Committee of Ba Ria - Vung Tau province announced that the Chairman of the province had signed a decision to administratively fine Mr. Pham Van T. (35 years old, residing in residential area No. 2, Con Dao district) VND 137.5 million.

Mr. T. was fined for illegally exploiting aquatic resources in the ecological restoration zone of the marine reserve of Con Dao National Park.

Previously, at 10:20 p.m. on September 28, the Mobile Ranger Station of Con Dao National Park Ranger Department coordinated with the District Military Command and the Con Dao District Aquatic Resources Protection Team to conduct a joint sea patrol.

When arriving at Bai Giong, Hon Bay Canh, part of the ecological restoration subdivision of the marine conservation component of Con Dao National Park, the patrol team discovered Mr. T. driving a floating vehicle, showing signs of violation, so they asked him to stop for inspection.

During the investigation, Mr. T. admitted that he did not have a driver's license or certificate to operate an inland waterway vehicle; the floating vehicle was self-made by Mr. T., with the purpose of going to Bai Giong, Hon Bay Canh to exploit snails.

At the scene, the authorities discovered that Mr. T. had exploited 5kg of Sweet Snails - not an endangered or rare aquatic species.

After being ticketed, Mr. T. did not comply with the forest rangers' request, intentionally cut the anchor rope of the homemade vehicle, started the engine and fled.

According to the Con Dao National Park Forest Protection Department, Mr. T. was warned and fined for entering Con Dao National Park to hunt animals and using homemade equipment to illegally exploit aquatic resources.

In 2018, Mr. T. was sentenced to 10 months and 17 days in prison by the People's Court of Con Dao district for theft and trading of turtle eggs.