Random sports stuff

Pro surfer Jamie O’Brien has landed himself in a pot of hot water after images of him ‘humping’ a sea turtle went viral.

As hilarious as image may look, Mr O’Brien failed to consider the illegality of his actions. According to the Federal Endangered Species Act in the US, the fine for harassing a sea turtle can be as much as $13,200. Getting up close and personal with turtles, as Mr O’Brien did, is considered to be a violation of both state and federal law.

However, O’Brien claims that the image was taken with good intentions. He posted the image on the Facebook page of the Hawaiian news channel, News Now, along with a message which read: “Fibropapilloma tumours are starting to show up on other sea turtle species in increasing numbers!

“If the same pattern of infection occurs as was seen with green turtles, it will not be long before FP outstrips even us homo sapiens as the single greatest threat to marine turtles.”

Fibropapilloma is a ‘herpes-style virus’ among sea turtles which causes benign tumours to form in the creatures and it makes it difficult for them to move, often resulting in death.

O’Brien has received a lot of criticism over the incident with some resorting to YouTube to voice their anger, as can be seen below.

Maybe O’Brien should focus more on riding the waves and less on riding the sea life.