Terengganu Fisheries Department Probing Video Of Tourists Harassing Turtle - Exco

KUALA TERENGGANU, Oct 14 (Bernama) -- The Terengganu government, in collaboration with the State Fisheries Department, is investigating a video showing tourists harassing a turtle while snorkelling off Pulau Redang.

State Tourism, Culture, Environment and Climate Change Committee chairman Datuk Razali Idris said the Fisheries Department was examining every video clip posted on social media to identify the account owner for further action.

“The state government was informed that the Terengganu Fisheries Department had received a report on the incident from the public. The department is going through every video posted on social media for further action,” he said when contacted today.

Razali said the state government viewed the irresponsible actions of a few tourists very seriously, as they not only harassed but also tried to harm the turtle.

He also said the Terengganu government would take proactive measures, including introducing a snorkelling guide licence, to ensure compliance with all rules and guidelines.

“I can say that many snorkelling guides these days are unclear about the ethics, including what is permitted and what is not during the activity.

“Such actions violate the rules and could cause the turtles to avoid coming to Pulau Redang in the future,” he said.

Razali said the extinction of turtles would not only affect Terengganu’s tourism industry but also deprive future generations of the chance to see these animals.

A 27-second video went viral yesterday showing a group of tourists holding and harassing a turtle believed to be on Pulau Redang during a snorkelling activity.

--BERNAMA