A Ukrainian influencer whose video appeared to show him sitting on a nesting green turtle at Ras Al Hadd has put Oman's turtle reserve rules in the news. Entry to the reserve, including at night, requires a permit, while access to turtle-nesting beaches at night must be accompanied by a registered monitor or guide. On 27 September, the Environment Authority announced that it had taken legal measures over the incident shown in the video.
Vadym Oleynik, 32, has said sorry. He says he did not see the rules. The authority said the behaviour violated laws and regulations protecting wildlife but did not identify a specific provision. Jack Brzoza, a turtle scientist in Florida, said in 2024 that 'human presence' can make a nesting turtle give up and go back to sea.
