Turtle shell jewelry seized in raids on tourist gift shops

The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources have confiscated 158 pieces of turtle shell jewellery during raids on various shops on Sosua beach and Puerto Plata. 

The operation is part of a program being carried out across the country by the Department of Biodiversity and Wildlife in coordination with the local departments of Environment, the Office of Environment, National Environmental Protection Service and with the support of the Commission on Environment and Development. This is part of the commitments made by the Dominican Republic to comply with Chapter 17 of DR-CAFTA agreement .

Establishments where the banned items from the Hawkesbill turtle were found will be monitored and any repeat offenders will be charged with the relevant offenses.
A total of 46 businesses were inspected, 21 of which were found to have turtle shell items on sale, including bracelets, rings and necklaces.

Some of the offending shops included; El T�nel Gift Shop, Mercadito Puerto Plata, Souvenir Market, Mar�a Rodr�guez, Galer�a del �mbar, Casa Marina, Gift Shop Patricia, Alfonso Gift Shop, Almond Gift Shop, Dafka Gift Shop, Chichi Gift Shop, Soy el Camino, la Verdad y la Vida; Adan Gift Shop, Gregorio Luper�n, Yenny Gift Shop, Juanita Gift Shop, El Frutal and Sam's Bar and Grill.

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