Hi Tony. I am not condoning the touching of marine animals for recreational scuba in any way. However for scientific purposes it is sometimes necessary - he is not "riding it" he is catching it in a manner that causes the animal the least amount of stress. How could this be misinterpreted by divers? The fact that he doesn't have a mask on, let alone scuba gear, and is wearing gloves illustrates that this is no ordinary situation and should tempt the viewer read the caption. Anyway, this is how Dr. Pilcher catches turtles and he's incredibly successful at it: as a journalist I am there to document, objectively, what is happening. Would I reply negatively to photos of you removing hooks from a shark’s mouth…which is, like this, for the good of the animal? Like I said in my previous response, I think photography - particularly conservation photography - should evoke a response and educate, which this has done, so that’s great. I would, of course, welcome others thoughts on this matter.

Hi Tony. I am not condoning the touching of marine animals for recreational scuba in any way. However for scientific purposes it is sometimes necessary - he is not "riding it" he is catching it in a manner that causes the animal the least amount of stress. How could this be misinterpreted by divers? The fact that he doesn't have a mask on, let alone scuba gear, and is wearing gloves illustrates that this is no ordinary situation and should tempt the viewer read the caption. Anyway, this is how Dr. Pilcher catches turtles and he's incredibly successful at it: as a journalist I am there to document, objectively, what is happening. Would I reply negatively to photos of you removing hooks from a shark’s mouth…which is, like this, for the good of the animal? Like I said in my previous response, I think photography - particularly conservation photography - should evoke a response and educate, which this has done, so that’s great. I would, of course, welcome others thoughts on this matter.

Thanks Aaron. Turtle conservation IS an important issue. Photos are all about telling a story ... this photo doesn't tell a story of scientific research except to those few who know what is going on. It is easy to be misinterpreted by many ordinary divers as condoning interference with marine animals. Expert or not I would have thought when planning to capture a marine animal a mask and fins at least would indicate some sort of professionalism. As a professional diver dealing with grassroots divers we set an example of interaction with marinelife. This photo doesn't suggest "research" "conservation" and sends the wrong message to those divers. I certainly understand that animals do need to be captured such as in tag and release etc but a bloke without even a mask on doesn't showcase this. I carry far more equipment when I plan to remove hooks or tracer line from the mouths of sharks and sometimes these rescues aren't pretty. Photographs of sharks with hooks and line hanging from their mouths showcases this issue to viewers. A patronising comment about important people doesn't make the photo anymore valid. Maybe having him with some actual diving equipment and a gold wetsuit might highlight his importance and we could all be overcome by awe at his importance and the significance of him grabbing a turtle by the shell. In the meantime I will continue to educate novice divers to interact with marinelife on the animal's terms which includes not going for rides on turtles.

Hi Tony. Thanks for your message. Actually, the "ill equipped scientist" is the IUCN's turtle expert, Dr. Nick Pilcher. His work and findings have been instrumental in saving turtle populations in Southeast Asia. He, along with most other turtle experts, agrees that 'turtle wrangling' causes the least distress of all possible catching methods and is the most effective. To save a creature we need to understand it. Isn't photography about creating debate and showcasing important people, doing important things? Or is it just about showing endless pictures of cute animals? Photography has a critical role to play in conservation. I would love to see more photographers tackling important issues.

Regardless of your ill equipped scientist's reason for capturing a turtle ... photos like this on a open website give the impression to casual observers that we condone touching and interfering with marinelife. The explanations aren't always read.