Fishermen Face 24 Years in Prison for Poaching Turtles

Environmental crimes are often severely punished by authorities, in an attempt to determine major fisheries to adopt o more responsible, eco-conscious attitude. Six Chinese fishermen are accused of putting a batch of marine turtles at risk and will appear before a court in the Philippines where they will face serious charges.

Authorities have spotted their fishing boat in Palawan, an island province of the Philippines. They have discovered nine dead turtles but acted fast and managed to save the lives of other three, throwing them back in the water. Officials who are involved in this investigation think the speedboat was attached to a mother ship, that managed to get away, Huffington Post reports.

Philippines' Wildlife Act and Fisheries Code provide the legal framework that can put the offenders in prison for up to 24 years. Back in Beijing, China is closely monitoring the incident and wants to make sure that the Philippines will respect all the rights of the fishermen involved in this tragic event.

This is not the first time when Chinese workers defy environmental regulations and seek to increase their own profit at any costs. In 2010, six other people from China have been arrested after authorities found out they had butchered 50 turtles in the same region.

The vulnerable creatures, also known as Chelonia mydas represent a valuable asset, both as a nutritious source of food and as raw material of traditional medicine. Because of overharvesting, both adults and their eggs face an emerging threat. The turtles are amazing creatures, a key element for marine biodiversity, taking into account that they can reach up to 5 feet (150 centimeters) and an outstanding 290 pounds (130 kilograms).

Moreover, the negative influence of fisherman is not limited to the fate of giant turtles. Their actions can put the entire ecosystem at great risks, since the contribution of marine turtles is vital for the fragile balance of their habitat.