A government spokesman in Tonga has confirmed that a ban on the killing of turtles has been lifted.
The Secretary for the Ministry of Fisheries, Dr Sione Vailala Matoto says they are now allowing the harvesting of some species between March and August.
But he says fishing for the leatherback turtle is still banned all year around.
Mr Matoto says turtle meat is a sought after delicacy in the Kingdom.
"Traditionally the people in Tonga have been using the turtle meat for many many years, but we do try at the moment, some years ago, we put up this regulation to regulate and reduce the consumption of turtle."
The Secretary for the Ministry of Fisheries in Tonga, Dr Sione Vailala Matoto.
