Viral Video Of Bima Residents Bringing A Melon Head Whale On A Motorcycle, BPSPL Denpasar Conducts A Search
JAKARTA - The Center for Coastal and Marine Resources Management (BPSPL) Denpasar West Nusa Tenggara Working Area traced a viral video on social media where a resident of Bima rode a melon-headed whale (Peponocephala electra) on a motorbike.
Manager of Marine and Coastal Ecosystems (PELP) BPSPL Denpasar Work Area of West Nusa Tenggara, Barmawi, who was contacted in Mataram on Sunday, said his party had coordinated with the Marine and Fisheries Resources Monitoring Base (PSDKP) Benoa, Bali, as the authorized institution.
"We have reported to the Benoa PSDKP officers, whether there will be action or what will happen later, that is their authority. We at BPSPL are only authorized to handle protected marine biota and provide socialization to the public," he said as quoted by Antara, Monday, September 13.
Barmawi also emphasized that the viral video of the fish being ridden by residents in Bima was not a dolphin, but a melon-headed whale.
"I have called the resident who brought the fish. From his confession, he did not know that the fish was a protected species, so he brought it home to eat," he said.
When communicating via cell phone, Barmawi gave an understanding to the perpetrators that what he had done was wrong because bringing home types of fish that are included in marine biota are protected by law.
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This has been regulated in Law Number 5 of 1990 concerning Conservation of Biological Natural Resources and Their Ecosystems, and Government Regulation Number 7 of 1999 concerning Preservation of Plant and Animal Species.
"I give an understanding to the perpetrators that all types of whales and dolphins are protected by law. For this reason, the perpetrators are reminded and asked not to repeat their actions," said Barmawi.
The video of two residents riding a melon-headed whale has gone viral on the Instagram account @mbojoinside. The video uploader said that the marine mammal was stranded in the sea waters between the boundaries of Bima City and Bima Regency, West Nusa Tenggara.
The owner of the Instagram account also wrote an application to the local government and the Bima City Government apparatus, to follow up on the case of the marine mammal stranding.