Tourist Faces Charges After Alleged Turtle Hunt Near Fam Islands
Indonesian police are investigating a foreign national on suspicion of killing and consuming a protected hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) inside the Raja Ampat marine sanctuary, one of the world's most celebrated dive destinations. Southwest Papua authorities confirmed the investigation on September 17, 2026, following a report from local marine conservation officials.
The suspect, identified by police as Wilson Shang, a Chinese national, is alleged to have used a speargun while diving near the Fam Islands sometime between September 8 and September 11. According to Southwest Papua Police Spokesperson Commissioner Jenny S.A. Hengkelare, as reported by Antara, investigators have obtained video footage and photographs that allegedly show the turtle being shot in the neck, transported to a nearby homestay, and then cooked and eaten.
What the Evidence Shows
A joint diving team and forensic investigators are conducting underwater searches at the site while also examining physical evidence recovered from the homestay. Police are coordinating with immigration officials and have been questioning witnesses and subject-matter experts. Two companions were reportedly present during the dive.
Commissioner Hengkelare stated that the case is being handled professionally and in accordance with applicable law. If formally charged and convicted under Indonesia's updated 2024 Natural Resources Conservation Law, the suspect faces serious criminal penalties for taking protected wildlife.
Hawksbill turtles are a critically endangered species and are fully protected under Indonesian law. Raja Ampat, located off the northwestern tip of the Bird's Head Peninsula in Southwest Papua, holds some of the highest marine biodiversity on the planet and draws divers and snorkelers from around the world specifically to encounter its sea turtles and reef life.
A Pattern Worth Watching
This incident is not isolated. Tempo has previously reported on illegal sea turtle trade scrutiny in Bali and on joint Indonesia-Malaysia efforts to monitor the smuggling of protected marine species. The Raja Ampat case, however, is notable because the alleged perpetrator was a tourist rather than a local commercial actor, and because the evidence trail apparently began with video the suspect's own group recorded.
Why It Matters for Hosts
Homestay and dive-operator owners in Raja Ampat are often the first point of contact for visiting divers, and in this case a homestay reportedly became part of the evidence chain. Independent operators have a practical reason to post clear, multilingual notices about protected species rules at check-in and to brief guests verbally before any water activity. Keeping a simple written acknowledgment that guests have received a conservation briefing creates a record that separates a responsible host from one who might be seen as complicit. It also reinforces Raja Ampat's reputation as a place that takes its marine sanctuary status seriously, which is ultimately the reason discerning travelers choose it over less regulated destinations.
This blog, published by Qontaktly, will continue to follow developments in Raja Ampat's conservation and tourism landscape.
Details of this investigation were first reported by Tempo.co, citing Antara, on September 17, 2026.
First reported by en.tempo.co.