AIDA Suspends Instructor Trainer as SSI Opens Raja Ampat Turtle Review

AIDA International has suspended the instructor-trainer status of a dive professional detained in Indonesia after footage allegedly showed a diver spearing a protected hawksbill turtle in Raja Ampat. The organization said the action was precautionary while it conducts a formal investigation and does not amount to a finding of guilt.

Scuba Schools International has separately opened a case through its Quality Management System. SSI said its members are required to follow applicable laws and its Responsible Diver Code, and that instructors are expected to model respectful treatment of marine life.

The agency actions are a significant follow-up to the detention reported earlier this week. Indonesian police are examining video, photographs and electronic evidence connected with an alleged incident near the Fam Islands between September 8 and 11. The individual has denied involvement, and DIVE Magazine reported on September 17 that he had not been formally charged.

For divers, the case highlights that professional credentials carry conduct expectations beyond teaching skills. Training agencies can review whether members complied with their standards independently of a criminal investigation, while authorities determine whether any conservation law was broken. Raja Ampat's global reputation rests heavily on exceptional biodiversity and responsible tourism, making transparent, evidence-based handling important to local operators and visiting divers alike.