I can understand why people might not like the pictures above. However, I want to present another viewpoint.
I just want to first say that I have no clue what's going on in that picture. Are they collecting the eggs to eat or or they collecting the eggs for incubation. I don't know the local laws, the economic situation, or anything about those pictures. But here another point of view.
It's only poaching if it's illegal where they are located. Without knowing their local law, it is hard to say whether it's poaching or not. On my last Channel Island scuba trip, there were a very few members of our group who disliked the fact that there were some of us (me included) who enjoyed spearfishing. All the fisherman ate what they killed. I had my license and kept within my limits. Just because a few person didn't like it, it doesn't make me a poacher. I followed the law. BTW - I am sure the same people would have gladly eaten fish in restaurants that are harvested by large commercial ships that have collateral damages in their nets.
It's also easy for us to find those pictures "reprehensible" when we are not starving and not wondering where our next meal will be. If my family was constantly starving, I really don't give a damn how many turtles there are in the ocean. Being raised by parents who grew up in a poor third world nation, I was taught to eat every part of an animal. When we had chicken, we ate everything down to the bone. When you throw away your turkey carcass this Thanksgiving, think about how much meat is still on that turkey. To me, that is more "reprehensible" than someone taking turtle eggs to feed their starving family. To be honest though, the older I get the more Americanized I am getting and the more food I throw away. Also - are we going to start criticizing these people for using wood burning stove to cook their food and contributing to the green house effect, while we contribute to the green house effect by keeping our fish tank?
Anyway - just another point of view.
