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Diver Impales Turtle: Critically Endangered Species Hunted
23 Sep
Summary
- A diver allegedly speared an endangered hawksbill turtle.
- The turtle was allegedly cooked and eaten by the diver.
- Hunting turtles and spearfishing are banned in protected areas.
A diver has been accused of impaling a critically endangered hawksbill sea turtle with a speargun and subsequently cooking and eating it. The alleged incident, captured on video, took place in Piaynemo, eastern Indonesia, between September 9 and 11. Indonesian authorities arrested a Chinese diving instructor, Wei Shang, in connection with the act. He was apprehended at an airport while attempting to board a flight to Malaysia but has denied the allegations.
Sea turtle hunting has been prohibited in Indonesia since 1999. Furthermore, spearfishing is also illegal within the protected Raja Ampat marine area, a renowned diving destination. The hawksbill sea turtle is classified as critically endangered globally. The diving organization AIDA International has suspended the accused instructor pending an investigation into the serious allegations, condemning any mistreatment of protected marine life.
