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A globally important reef
Raja Ampat sits at the heart of the Coral Triangle and holds some of the richest marine biodiversity anywhere. What happens here matters far beyond a single dive site.
A public petition to Indonesian authorities
A Hawksbill sea turtle was killed in Raja Ampat.
Footage from Piaynemo, Raja Ampat appears to show a scuba-equipped diver using a speargun in a lethal encounter with a Hawksbill sea turtle — a species listed as Critically Endangered. We are asking Indonesian authorities for an independent investigation, careful handling of the evidence, and real enforcement of the rules that protect marine life.
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people asking for a transparent investigation
↗ Public petition · 公开联署people asking for a transparent investigation
01 · What happened
Why this petition exists
A widely circulated underwater video appears to show a scuba-equipped diver using a speargun in a lethal interaction with a Hawksbill sea turtle at Piaynemo, in the Raja Ampat area.
The footage spread quickly among divers and caused widespread concern, and the incident has since been reported to Indonesian authorities.
This is not only about one disturbing video. Raja Ampat holds some of the richest marine life on Earth, and incidents involving a Critically Endangered species there deserve a serious, factual response. A person associated with the incident has publicly presented SSI and AIDA diving credentials; that is relevant only because diving professionals are expected to model responsible behaviour around marine life. This petition is not an argument about any particular certification agency.
The wider point
This is bigger than one diver.
Raja Ampat and its wildlife deserve protection, evidence deserves to be taken seriously, and conduct that harms protected marine life should carry real consequences where it is established.
02 · Why this matters
Why this matters
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A Critically Endangered species
The Hawksbill is not merely protected, it is one step from extinction in the wild. Turtles take decades to mature, so losing a single breeding adult removes generations of future young.
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Trust within diving
Divers are guests in these waters, and professionals in particular are expected to model responsible behaviour around marine life. The diving community should say clearly that this kind of conduct is not acceptable.
03 · What we are asking
What we are asking for
We are asking Indonesian authorities for three things.
Where the evidence establishes violations, we ask that authorities apply the appropriate penalties under Indonesian law. Responsibility should be determined by investigation, not decided in advance by public speculation.
1Independent and transparent investigation
Conduct an independent, transparent investigation of the incident and communicate the outcome clearly.
Conduct an independent, transparent investigation of the incident and communicate the outcome clearly.
2Preserve and evaluate the evidence
Secure the original videos, photographs, witness information and relevant records, so that responsibility is determined on facts rather than social-media speculation.
Secure the original videos, photographs, witness information and relevant records, so that responsibility is determined on facts rather than social-media speculation.
3Clearer rules, real enforcement
Strengthen and clearly communicate the rules governing interactions with protected marine wildlife, particularly in sensitive conservation areas, and ensure those rules are actually enforced.
Strengthen and clearly communicate the rules governing interactions with protected marine wildlife, particularly in sensitive conservation areas, and ensure those rules are actually enforced.
Add your name
Protect Raja Ampat. Establish the facts. Enforce the rules.
Sign to ask Indonesian authorities for a transparent investigation of this incident, and for wildlife protections that are enforced in practice.