A chain of holiday snapshots showing a group of snorkelers harassing a turtle in Perhentian has caused an uproar in Malaysia.
According to a report in the New Straits Times, the photographs and a short video was posted on Perhentian Setia Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd’s Facebook page, but was taken down following a massive outcry by the public. The video and the photos show the snorkelers touching, manhandling and riding the turtle.
All marine life, including turtles, are protected under the Fisheries Act. This act states that no fishing, disturbing, harassing or catching of marine life is allowed. Going against these rules could result in a penalty not exceeding RM5, 000.
The incident is being looked into by enforcement agencies after being contacted by green groups such as the Malaysian Nature Society and World Life Fund for Nature-Malaysia (WWF).
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