First, nothing identifiable in photo so no doxing their faces are covered, just their bodies and the turtle visible.
Was out at the beach taking photos of sea turtles today, and happened to walk by a man throwing a cast net, up very close to some jettys, in the breakers. It's not a very good spot to catch bait, which is what you use a cast net for. I kept walking and didnt pay much attention at first.
I happened to turn around in time to see him holding a fucking green sea turtle under his arm like a soccer ball sorta, and walking up to his companion, sorta waving for her attention. They both started taking photos with their cellphones. Im assuming to post on the internet or share or some shit. They sorta heaved it back into the surf after they were done snaring it and taking photos of it.
I got personally identifying photos and want to turn them over to the state game wardens. I really should do so right? Im fairly sure i should be, because they arent cops, even though they can do things police can do like arrest/detain/ticket etc. because they can only do it when it pertains to fish/wildlife/game/etc. Do I turn them in? If the game wardens act on this, these two people are going to have a really bad time. Texas has hotlines for this shit. NOAA even has hotlines for this. Im morally opposed to turning someone over to cops, but im also morally opposed to molesting wildlife. I dont hunt, I dont fish. Im 80% vegetarian and working towards vegan. While there are no signs specifically saying DONT TOUCH THE TURTLES there are signs everywhere with phone numbers to call if you see some dumbass touching the turtles. im fairly sure Im going to go to the TPWD office a few miles away tomorrow and take my SD card to them. Im just wondering if theres a reason not to I guess. Let it never be said I am a smart man.
I lean the same way I think. I get photos of them up close. I can get within 2-3' with zero issues while still not being in the water with them. These people could have done the same, to same effect but I think they decided the rules don't apply to them. I have to assume this because there are signs everywhere telling you to call this number if you see the turtles, caught, handled, or coming ashore during nesting season. There are signs a few feet away from the exact spot the man netted the turtle.
I forget the exact term used but the 'don't fuck with the turtles' law is one of those ones you don't have to be aware of to be in deep trouble by it.
That's how I see it. If I was there and I saw what you saw - even if I could control my temper - I wouldn't try talk to them. They'd never listen to me because I think nobody can get them to listen. They are toxic and can't be reasoned with.