Chinese lecturer arrested for taking coral reef ‘souvenirs’

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A Chinese university lecturer was arrested after he attempted to leave popular tourist spot Wenzhou Island in Beihai, China with a stash of corals.

The unidentified man, who hails from Chongqing city, was discovered by authorities when he tried to leave the island on Feb. 21, as per Beijing Youth Daily via South China Morning Post on Feb. 26. He was apparently found with a styrofoam box containing 10 pieces of coral.

The authorities, who acted on a tip-off, stated the man happened upon the coral reef on a beach at low tide on Wednesday, Feb. 20. He then broke some pieces from the coral reef “to keep as souvenirs” because he found them beautiful.

“The man dug up the coral and broke off some small pieces,” a police officer was quoted as saying. “But when questioned, he said he did not know he was breaking the law.”

“We pointed out that he is an academic,” the officer added. “The need to protect our coral reef should be a matter of common sense for him.”

Strict regulation had been introduced by authorities in the island starting in July 2018, which saw the ban of non-biodegradable plastic and cars that run on fossil fuels.

It is illegal to remove, trade or transport coral from the island and those who break the law may be fined up to 10 times the value of the coral they steal, the report stated.

Thus far, it is unknown whether the man had been charged or not. Cody Cepeda/JB

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