Marine Life & Conservation
Tourist posing with protected sea turtle causes uproar on social media
A photo of a Chinese tourist posing with a protected sea turtle he caught in Malaysian waters has created an uproar on social media sites as Sabah authorities step up investigations into the case.
Sabah Wildlife Department and Sabah Parks investigators have turned up at the Singamata Adventures and Reef Resort to question the management over the incident, after one of the resort’s boats was spotted in the photo.
They are now trying to ascertain how the tourist could have been allowed to catch a protected turtle and other marine life in waters close to the diving haven of Pulau Sipadan. The tourist is believed to be part of a group of eight tourists who visited Semporna on the 27th and 28th March this year.
According to investigating sources, the picture has been making its rounds on Chinese networking site Weibo over the last few months after the tourist uploaded the picture, but only surfaced in Facebook on the 5th July.
“Since it was a snorkelling trip, there was no dive master accompanying them except for the boatman,’’ the sources explained, adding that the company management itself was surprised by the incident.
However, the investigation will continue as investigators try to locate the boatman and also trace the tourist through travel agents.
When contacted, Singamata Adventures and Reef Resort manager Vicky Shim apologised for the action of the tourist and the failure of their boatman to stop such acts.
“We strictly adhere to the conservation of marine resources and have put up reminders and advisories to inform tourists not to catch marine creatures. We sincerely apologise for what has happened,’’ she said.
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society founder Captain Paul Watson, who highlighted the issue, said he had written to the company asking it to issue a policy statement to instructors and boat operators to refrain from allowing customers to harass and abuse marine wildlife.
He said illegally handling marine life for the amusement of guests was “irresponsible and extremely unprofessional’’ of Singamata, which is an authorised PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Centre.
He said he would bring up the matter with PADI and also Project Aware.
Source: www.thestar.com.my
The Shark Trust is excited to announce that, for two more days only, all donations, large or small, will be doubled in the Big Give Green Match Fund!
Donate to Basking in Nature: Sighting Giants
The Shark Trust is hoping to raise £10k which will be doubled to £20k. This will go towards Basking in Nature: Sighting Giants. And they need YOUR help to reach they’re goal.
The Shark Trust’s citizen science project is to monitor and assess basking sharks through sightings; encouraging data collection, community engagement, and promoting nature accessibility. This initiative aims to enhance health and wellbeing by fostering a deeper connection with British Sharks.
Campaign Aims
- Increase citizen science reporting of Basking Sharks and other shark sightings to help inform shark and ray conservation.
- Provide educational talks about the diverse range of sharks and rays in British waters and accessible identification guides!
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- Promote mental wellbeing through increasing time in nature and discovering the wonders beneath the waves!
Donate, and double your impact. Click Here
Marine Life & Conservation
Leading UK-based shark conservation charity, the Shark Trust, is delighted to announce tour operator Diverse Travel as a Corporate Patron
Corporate Patrons provide a valuable boost to the work of The Shark Trust. The Trust team works globally to safeguard the future of sharks, and their close cousins, the skates and rays, engaging with a global network of scientists, policymakers, conservation professionals, businesses and supporters to further shark conservation.
Specialist tour operator Diverse Travel has operated since 2014 and is committed to offering its guests high quality, sustainable scuba diving holidays worldwide. Working together with the Shark Trust will enable both organisations to widen engagement and encourage divers and snorkellers to actively get involved in shark conservation.
“Sharks are truly at the heart of every diver and at Diverse Travel, we absolutely share that passion. There is nothing like seeing a shark in the wild – it’s a moment that stays with you forever!” says Holly Bredin, Sales & Marketing Manager, Diverse Travel.
“We’re delighted to celebrate our 10th year of business by becoming a Corporate Patron of the Shark Trust. This is an exciting partnership for Diverse and our guests. We will be donating on behalf of every person who books a holiday with us to contribute towards their vital shark conservation initiatives around the world. We will also be working together with the Trust to inspire divers, snorkellers and other travellers to take an active role – at home and abroad – in citizen science projects and other activities.”
Paul Cox, CEO of The Shark Trust, said:
“It’s an exciting partnership and we’re thrilled to be working with Diverse Travel to enable more divers and travellers to get involved with sharks and shark conservation. Sharks face considerable conservation challenges but, through collaboration and collective action, we can secure a brighter future for sharks and their ocean home. This new partnership takes us one more valuable step towards that goal.”
For more information about the Shark Trust visit their website here.
For more about Diverse Travel click here.
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