RIYADH: Two men have been arrested by Saudi environmental authorities after they committed fishing offenses at the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Nature Reserve in Madinah.
The Saudi Special Forces for Environmental Security arrested the pair after they were discovered violating the local environmental system.
Maj. Raed Al-Maliki, spokesman for the department, which was established as part of Saudi Vision 2030, said that the men were illegally fishing without a license.
He added that they were caught in possession of eight birds, two shotguns, a rifle and an air rifle, diverse ammunition and fishing tools, which were all seized. Legal procedures were taken against them by the relevant authorities, he added.
Al-Maliki said that the fine for fishing without a license totals SR10,000 ($2,666), and the fine for illegally using a shotgun amounts to SR100,000.
The penalty for violators is determined by the relevant authority, in accordance with the Kingdom’s regulations on hunting wildlife.
Al-Maliki urged people to contact 911 to report any violations of the environment or wildlife in Makkah and Riyadh, and to contact 999 and 996 in all of the Kingdom’s regions.
