EPA investigating torture of a stingray in Addu City

The Environmental Protection Agency is investigating the possible torture of a stingray in Addu City.

In a video that has gone viral on social media, two men can be seen cutting off the tail of a ray that had been brought ashore. Children are seen looking on in the background.

After this, the ray is dragged to the water’s edge and thrown back into the sea.

The incident occurred in Hithadhoo.

Some fishermen in the Maldives cut off the tail of a stingray to remove the potentially dangerous sting. However, the practice has become less common with the introduction of legal protection measures to protect the fish.

In a tweet, the EPA said that all species of ray are protected in the country.

“With the help of [the] Maldives Police, we are investigating a case of capture and torture of a ray in Addu City. Note that as of 16th June 2014 all species of ray are protected by law,” the EPA tweeted.