Chapter 11: Fruitbats
§1101. Protection of fruitbats.
(a) The taking, hunting, exporting, purchasing or selling of or in any way intentionally interfering with the population growth of fruitbats in the State of Yap is prohibited except as provided in this section.
(b) The Governor may declare an open season for the taking and hunting of fruitbats in the State each year. The open season shall not exceed thirty days, and the time of the year for the open season may vary from year to year. Public notice shall be given of the open season declaration. The open season declaration however, does not permit any person to export, purchase or sell fruitbats.
(c) For purpose of this Section, it shall be rebuttable presumption that all fruitbats found in one's possession outside the open season were taken or hunted in violation of this section except as provided in subsection (e) of this section.
(d) The open season may vary in different areas or islands within the State, and may identify certain areas or islands that shall be closed for fruitbat taking and hunting notwithstanding the fact that the season is open.
(e) The prohibition against the taking and hunting of fruitbats shall not apply to:
(1) Those persons whose custom and tradition include taking and hunting fruitbats;
(2) Taking and hunting of fruitbats for scientific purposes;
(3) Taking and hunting of fruitbats to be used for tourist attractions; and
(4) Taking and hunting of fruitbats for pets.
(f) Any person who violates any provision of this section shall, upon conviction, be fined not less than $50.00 and not more than $200.00, or imprisoned for not less than one month and not more than six months, or both.
Source: Part C of Chapter 2 of the Yap District
Code, as amended by YSL 2-27 §1 that creates new YDC §2206, and YSL 4-6
§1, modified.
Cross-reference: The constitutional provisions on Conservation and Development of Resources are found in Yap Const., Art. XIII. Section 1 of Article XIII states: "The State Government shall promote the conservation and development of agricultural, marine, mineral, forest, water, land and other natural resources."