Cover image via SAYS.com
A series of photos posted on Facebook has triggered no small amount of public outrage, especially among the diving community.
The reason? Guests and a staff member of a dive resort in Semporna, Sabah were seen holding and petting several marine creatures… which should not have been removed from the sea in the first place!
The group were aboard a boat belonging to Singamata Adventures and Reef Resort, as identified from a logo painted on the vessel. The resort is an authorised 5-Star Instructor Development Dive Resort with the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI).
A guest holding a sea turtle, the dive resort's logo can be seen at the bottom of the photo.
Image via Jaki Teo's Facebook
Founded in 1966, PADI is the world's largest recreational diving membership and diver training organisation.
It's one thing to remove them from the ocean (which is already an irresponsible act in its own), one of the photos even showed some fishes being kept in a container!
Image via Jaki Teo's Facebook
The photos, which first surfaced on 5 July, have been shared far and wide on social media, especially among the diving community. Many lambasted the irresponsible behaviour of both the resort guide and his guests, saying that it is the guide's duty to educate his guests on respect the ocean and its inhabitants.
Image via Facebook
Image via Facebook
Image via Facebook
The matter also caught the attention of Paul Watson, a Canadian environmental activist and founder of the Sea Shepherd Conservation society. Watson fired off a warning to Singamata in regards to the photos and urged divers to stay away from the "irresponsible" resort.
Image via Captain Paul Watson's Facebook
Many lodged complaints with PADI, requesting for the international organisation to look into the matter. According to a recent response, Singamata's membership has been suspended as PADI initiates an inquiry and investigation into the matter.
Image via PADI's Facebook
Meanwhile, the resort – which has no doubt received a lot of flak since the photos went viral – have posted a statement on its Facebook page to apologise and express their regret over the incident. They further explained that the "single occurrence of misconduct" happened in March 2015 and that staff member involved no longer works with the company.
This is where we remind everyone to be a responsible traveller and respect marine life. After all, we do not want Nemo to be separated from his dad again, do we?
Image via Buena Vista Pictures
