The Ministry of the Environment informs that a sea hare (Aplysia) was captured by fishermen in the commune of Pestel (Dept. Grand'Anse).

The sea animal, a large shellless mollusk with sail-like fins, inspires fear among fishermen due to their belief in voodoo mythology and the "horns" on the back of the sea hare's head. These "corms" are sensory organs (rhinophores).

Should be noted that this mollusc has spread and is found in all the seas of the globe near the coast. It measures between 7.5 to 15 cm up to 30 to 40 cm and more than 50 cm in the case of Aplysia gigantea or Aplysia vaccaria. They are harmless marine animals.

The Ministry appeals to the population of Pestel not to kill this marine animal and instructions have been passed to this effect to the Departmental Directorate of Grand'Anse and recalls that the Department of Grand'Anse is home to the greatest marine biodiversity in Haiti in terms of biological wealth and its strong economic and tourist potential is still undervalued.

Pestel, where this sea hare was captured, is part of the Marine Protected Areas complex declared on April 7, 2017 by presidential decree, namely the Baradères-Cayemites Complex (Petit Trou-de-Nippes - Baradères/Pestel/Roseaux), one of thetwo best areas of corals in very good health of the coastal and marine ecosystems of Haiti.

HL/ S/ HaitiLibre