JAKARTA: A foreign tourist has been detained after a video allegedly showing him killing a protected turtle while spearfishing in the waters of Raja Ampat, Indonesia, went viral on social media.
According to Indonesian media outlet Kompas, Raja Ampat marine conservation authorities confirmed on Monday (Sept 14) that the tourist, identified only by the initials WS, had been detained in Makassar and would be taken to Sorong for further investigation.
The 36-second video allegedly shows WS diving with scuba and spearfishing equipment before targeting a turtle resting on the seabed near a coral reef in the Fam Islands.
Authorities believe the incident occurred between Sept 9 and 11, when the tourist was reported to have been in Raja Ampat.
Head of the Raja Ampat Marine Conservation Area management unit, Hasan Makassar, condemned the incident, particularly the use of equipment capable of damaging the environment within a conservation area and the alleged killing of a protected animal.
He said authorities were coordinating with police and immigration officials over the case, with legal proceedings among the possible next steps.
Sea turtles have been legally protected in Indonesia under conservation and fisheries laws since 1990, with a 2018 Environment Ministry regulation further clarifying protections for the six species found in the country’s waters.
The case drew further outrage after images circulated online purportedly showing the turtle cooked and served as food.
Kompas reported that the tourist had uploaded content from the incident to social media in China before the material was subsequently shared on other platforms, drawing the attention of members of the diving and marine conservation communities.
Muhammad Ilman, director of marine programmes at the Nusantara Nature Conservation Foundation (YKAN), welcomed the authorities’ response and said the case should also serve as an opportunity to strengthen responsible marine tourism management in Raja Ampat.
“For us, this is not just about addressing a single incident, but also ensuring that there is learning and improvement in the management of tourism in conservation areas,” he said.
The Fam Islands form part of Raja Ampat’s renowned marine environment and include the waters surrounding the iconic Piaynemo area.
