The public is reminded that sea turtles in Seychelles are protected under the Wild Animals and Birds Protection Act. 1961 (WABPA), which prohibits harming, disturbing, catching, injuring, killing, selling, buying, receiving or possessing turtles, turtle eggs, or turtle products. Recent amendments to the law (Wild Animals And Birds Protection (Amendment) Act, 2024 (Act 11 of 2024)) strengthened penalties for wildlife offences, which states that harming or disturbing sea turtles can lead to a fine not less than SCR25,000 and not exceeding SCR 1,000,000 and imprisonment for up to 7 years, upon conviction.
Any individual who interferes with sea turtles, including hatchlings, nests, or eggs, is committing a serious offence. Persons found in breach of the law may be investigated, arrested, and prosecuted. The Ministry of Environment, Climate, Energy & Natural Resources urges all residents and visitors to understand that these are not minor acts of disturbance, but illegal actions that threaten protected wildlife and undermine national conservation efforts.
Tourism operators, hotels, guesthouses, villas, charter operators and all other tourism-related establishments are also being reminded of their responsibility to ensure that their activities do not encourage or facilitate protected wildlife disturbance. Promoting close contact with turtles, allowing guests to crowd nesting sea turtles, touch or handle hatchlings, shine lights or camera flashes at turtles, block their path, or stage wildlife encounters for entertainment is unacceptable and may amount to illegal disturbance. Businesses must act responsibly and ensure that staff and guests follow proper wildlife viewing practices at all times.
Any establishment that encourages behaviour which disturbs protected wildlife is not only acting irresponsibly, but may also expose itself and the individuals involved to legal penalties.
Members of the public, tourism stakeholders and visitors are therefore called upon to remain vigilant and to report any suspected case of turtle disturbance, poaching, illegal possession, sale of turtle meat, turtle eggs, or any activity that places these animals at risk.