Ha‘apai Governor to be sentenced on unlawful turtle meat [1]
Monday, May 17, 2021 - 18:10. Updated on Monday, May 17, 2021 - 21:28.
The Governor of Ha’apai, Viliami Manuopangai Hingano (46) will be sentenced on Wednesday, May 19, for unlawful possession of 198kg of turtle meat.
He will be sentenced by Hon Mr Justice Niu at the Nuku’alofa Supreme Court.
The unlawful turtle meat was confiscated in a cargo onboard the MV 'Otuanga'ofa ferry, which arrived in Nuku'alofa on March 20, 2020 from Vava'u and Ha'apai.
After a trial in March this year, the judge found him guilty on possession of the turtle meat out of the shell, without it being certified by an authorised officer that it came from a turtle of legal size, contrary to regulation 24 (g) of the Fisheries Management (Conservation) Regulations.
A former member of Parliament as a People's Representative for Ha'apai, his Governor position was approved in January this year, after being recommended by the Prime Minister.