Oman’s Environment Authority said it had taken legal measures after video circulated showing a tourist disturbing a sea turtle at a nesting site. News reports identify the person as Ukrainian fitness influencer Vadym Oleynik and describe him sitting or riding on the turtle, but the authority’s statement did not name him or specify an arrest, charge, penalty or case outcome.
What happened in Oman?
Times of Oman reported on 28 September 2026 that a social-media video showed a tourist disturbing sea turtles at Ras Al Hadd. Al Bawaba’s report the next day described the location as Ras Al Jinz and reproduced an Environment Authority statement dated 27 September. Because the reports use different place names, the incident is best described as taking place at a turtle-nesting site in Oman rather than assigning it a more precise location.
Al Bawaba and Al Jazeera identify the person in the footage as Ukrainian fitness influencer Vadym Oleynik; Al Jazeera describes two Ukrainian tourists riding a sea turtle. These are press descriptions, not details contained in the authority statement reproduced by the outlets. The available reports do not establish that the turtle was injured or that its eggs were damaged.
What did Oman’s Environment Authority say?
As quoted by Times of Oman, the authority said it had taken “the necessary legal action” under applicable legislation. It also warned: “The EA reiterates that it will not tolerate any practices that harm wildlife or threaten natural habitats.” Al Bawaba reproduced the authority’s 27 September statement as saying: “The necessary legal measures have been taken against the individual concerned in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations.”
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The wording confirms that the authority said it had acted, but does not explain what measures it took. Le Parisien reported on 30 September that the authority had not specified the nature of the measures or any possible sanctions. The reports therefore do not establish an arrest, formal charge, conviction or penalty. Al Bawaba specifically noted that online claims that the influencer and his partner were arrested at an airport had not been confirmed by official sources.
Le Parisien also reported that Oleynik apologized, saying he had not seen the rules and had not intended to hurt the turtle. That account is attributed to the newspaper; it is not part of the authority statement.
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Can you touch or ride a sea turtle while it lays eggs?
No. Do not touch, sit on, ride, chase, feed or obstruct a wild turtle. Keep your distance, minimize light and noise, and follow instructions from local authorities or reserve staff. If the animal appears stressed or changes course because of your presence, move farther away or leave.
The precise viewing distance depends on the place and applicable rules. The cited U.S. and Australian recommendations are examples for their own jurisdictions—not Omani law:
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| Guidance | Recommended distance and conduct | Where it applies |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service | More than 10 feet away; do not touch, feed or chase turtles, block their route to or from the ocean, or use bright lights. | Hawaiʻi guidance, published April 2023. |
| NOAA Fisheries | At least 50 yards from sea turtles in U.S. waters; do not ride, pet, touch or interact with wild turtles. NOAA notes that rules vary by region, state and species. | General U.S. guidance; not a distance rule for Oman. |
| Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority | At least two metres from nesting turtles; stay behind them while they dig and lay, remain still and quiet, avoid disturbing nests, and do not touch hatchlings. | Great Barrier Reef Marine Park guidance; not a universal standard. |
Bright beach lights can disorient hatchlings, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s Hawaiʻi guidance. When visiting a nesting beach, use the local authority’s instructions rather than borrowing a distance from another country or park.
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