SEMPORNA: The rare sighting of whale sharks should not be a reason for anyone to approach or touch the largest known extant fish species.
This was after the diving community found out and is fuming over a viral footage of a snorkeler riding on a whale shark that appeared off Sibuan island here yesterday.
The person who captured the 11-second video was heard to say that the riding the whale shark was a "jackpot". Another snorkeler was also approaching the non-mammalian vertebrate.
It is learned that such occurrences only happen about five times in a year.
Semporna Professional Divers Association chairman Suzimin Edris said such an incident should not have happened should the tour guide know how to respect wildlife and the regulations under Sabah Parks.
He added that Sibuan and island under a gazetted protected area known as Tun Sakaran Marine Park.
"The association has also informed every dive centre to recruit qualified guides or encourage operators to train their staff in respecting the wildlife and nature."
Meanwhile, Reef Check Malaysia programme manager Adzmin Fatta said that there will be an eco-friendly snorkelling guide training to be held between Dec 7 and 10 in Semporna.
He added the programme is a collaboration among Reef Check, Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry and Sabah Parks.
"It is actually a part of the sustainable tourism project by the ministry which provides fund for Reef Check to conduct as we realise this kind of issue will continue to happen and might jeopardise tourism.
"The ministry is also committed to expand the eco-friendly snorkeling guide training and green fins programme in Sabah next year.
"Hopefully, it will be a kick starter to attract more guides to undergo proper training," he said.