Police have launched an investigation into a case where a group of people from B. Kendhoo poached and slaughtered turtles on Hulhudhoo, an uninhabited island in the atoll. 

Police confirmed that the Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve Office had reported a case of turtle poaching in Hulhudhoo on the morning on the morning of April 11. 

Police said that their investigative report has now been shared with the Environmental Regulation Authority (ERA) to take relevant legal action in relation to the case. 

Police have not yet disclosed details of the accused individuals, however Mihaaru News reports that the individuals are from the island of Kendhoo. 

ERA Chief Executive Hassaan Mohamed said that Police had investigated the case and forwarded the report to the Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve Office last Thursday.

The Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve Office, in turn, shared the report with the ERA today. Hassaan said that as per the authority's SOPs, the accused will be granted an opportunity to respond to the allegations. 

He assured that the ERA will look into the matter and take necessary action. 

The ERA has previously taken action against some individuals from Kendhoo who poached turtles in Keyodhoo, another uninhabited island. In that case, six turtles had been slaughtered. 

The ERA initially fined each individual by MVR 198,000: MVR 33,000 per turtle. However, following protestations from them claiming the fine was too hefty, the fine was reduced to MVR 33,000 per person on advice from the AG Office and the Environment Ministry.