Facebook post with pic of dead turtle sparks outrage, highlights need to report violations when discovered

A post made by an “Anonymous participant” on a Hawai‘i-based Facebook page sharing a photo of a dead green sea turtle with its shell missing, which Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources could not verify, had generated more than 3,000 reactions and 660 comments by Wednesday afternoon.

“I have never seen anything like this until tonight,” wrote the person who posted the image, who adds that they walk daily in “Hau Bush,” or ʻOheʻula Beach Park, where they discovered the dead and shell-less green sea turtle in ‘Ewa Beach on Oʻahu.

The 42-year resident of the Honolulu suburb added: “Seeing this tonight broke my heart and made me very upset.”

Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement Chief Jason Redulla said the most egregious violations his department becomes aware about through social media channels rarely have the necessary information to open an investigation.

“So we can’t even know where to begin looking,” said Redulla in information provide about the incident. “Without the perpetrator coming forward and self-reporting, or without a specific location, date and time, our hands are unfortunately tied.”

That’s the problem for federal and state law enforcement authorities with the green sea turtle disocery in ‘Ewa Beach.

No one reported the incident directly, making it difficult to investigate, find possible suspects, build a case or pursue prosecution.

The state did receive a tip via its mobile app after the Facebook post was made about the dead green sea turtle, but it was just a copy of the original post.

The person who discovered, photographed and posted about the dead, shell-less turtle in ‘Ewa Beach is urged to follow-up with state Land Department, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration law enforcement to provide additional information.

State conservation law enforcement authorities and officials remind the public that it’s important to report suspected violations against marine life, especially for the most endangered and threatened, which includes the green sea turtle.

The turtle is protected and listed as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.

“Witness information and photographs can help us investigate a case and potentially bring charges,” Redulla said.

While the turtle’s death is truly unfortunate, it provides an opportune moment for the state and its federal partners to remind the public that if they see an incident they should report it right away.

Those who report suspected violations are asked to provide the who, what, when and where of the incident or situation they witnessed that are needed by law enforcement to investigate.

Violations can be reported anonymously.

There are two easy ways to report incidents:

• DLNRTip mobile app allows people who see incidents to report them when they see them.
• State Land Department, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration hotlines also are available so people can use their phones — landlines and cellphones — to report possible violations against marine species.

All oceangoers should download the free mobile reporting app and add each agency’s reporting hotline numbers to their contacts so they can quickly report suspected violations.

Here’s more information:

• Download the mobile DLNRTip app, available from the Apple Store and Google Play.
• Call the 24-hour Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources hotline at 808-643-DLNR (3567).
• Call the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service hotline at 1-844-FWS-TIPS (397-8477) or visit the agency’s website.
• Call the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Wildlife Hotline at 888-256-9840.

“We know it’s frustrating when people only report violations via social media and nothing happens,” said Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources Administrator Brian Neilson. “Unfortunately, in most cases there’s not enough information to conduct thorough investigations.”

The aquatic resources division urges witnesses of violations to report them when they see them.

“We really need everyone’s kōkua to find people who are committing crimes against our protected marine species,” Neilson said.