According to the Coast Guard, two male residents were involved in the incident, surnamed Li (李) and Hsieh (謝), who claimed the fish was already dead when they reeled it ashore. It was later brought back for a photo session before being released into the sea, they said.

The testimony appeared to be fishy, and the suspects are being investigated for allegedly breaching the country’s animal protection regulations. The reckless behavior has also sparked an uproar from the online community on the outlying island, with some criticizing the young men for catching an endangered species that grows at a pace of just one kilogram a year.