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Unlawful Import of Marine Turtle Eggs Results in Fine

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. -- September 29, 2010 -- Boris A. Zaldivar of Brampton, Ontario pleaded guilty today in the Ontario Court of Justice to one count of unlawfully importing marine turtle eggs into Canada. Mr. Zaldivar received a $3,000 fine and was ordered to forfeit the eggs.

Mr. Zaldivar was charged on April 12, 2010 by Environment Canada under the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act (WAPPRIITA), section 6 (2).  Mr. Zaldivar failed to obtain the required permit under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) to import marine turtle eggs. 

Environment Canada received a referral from the Canada Border Services Agency after eggs were discovered in Mr. Zaldivar’s luggage upon his return to Canada from El Salvador, prompting an investigation. Analysis confirmed that the eggs were from an endangered marine species, the Pacific ridley turtle.

CITES is an international agreement to regulate trade in specific species of wild animals and plants, as well as their respective parts and derivatives. Environment Canada is the lead agency responsible for CITES implementation in Canada. WAPPRIITA is the legislation used to implement CITES in Canada.

Further information on CITES and WAPPRIITA may be found at www.cites.ec.gc.ca.