Scuba diver arrested after riding a whale shark
- 6 years ago
A group of scuba divers sparked outrage after they filmed themselves riding an endangered whale shark.
The men were diving in Cenderawasih Bay, Indonesia, earlier this month when one of them mounted the majestic marine creature.
Footage shows one of the divers laid on the whale's back grabbing the sides of its head before signalling 'ok' to the camera. Two of the men were holding onto the whale's sides.
Outraged environmentalists complained and the authorities identified the group involved. The man seen riding the whale was later arrested and identified as a local businessman.
Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti said: ''It has been handled, and the perpetrator has been arrested.''
Whale sharks are protected in Indonesia which has seen declining numbers in the wild. Their slow movement makes them an easy target for hunters and they are often killed accidentally by fishing trawlers.
Marine laws in the country prevent divers from touching the creatures as they can get hurt easily.
The men were diving in Cenderawasih Bay, Indonesia, earlier this month when one of them mounted the majestic marine creature.
Footage shows one of the divers laid on the whale's back grabbing the sides of its head before signalling 'ok' to the camera. Two of the men were holding onto the whale's sides.
Outraged environmentalists complained and the authorities identified the group involved. The man seen riding the whale was later arrested and identified as a local businessman.
Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti said: ''It has been handled, and the perpetrator has been arrested.''
Whale sharks are protected in Indonesia which has seen declining numbers in the wild. Their slow movement makes them an easy target for hunters and they are often killed accidentally by fishing trawlers.
Marine laws in the country prevent divers from touching the creatures as they can get hurt easily.