Some photos of a whale shark (Rhincodon typus) being tied up and “surfed” upon have been drumming up quite a bit of controversy on Facebook for over a week, now. Some major media outlets including the BBC recently picked up the story, as calls for better protection of the species have arisen due to the controversy.

According to the Cebu Daily News, the events took place in the waters of the barangay of North Granada, Cebu, Philippines. The whale shark had apparently become tangled in the nets of some local fishermen, who dragged the animal close to shore to untangle it. Before the shark was released several people posed with shark for photos, while it had a rope tied to its tail. An 18-year-old woman was photographed posing on top of the shark. The photographs were then posted to Facebook, where the online controversy ensued.

According to the Cebu Daily News article, those involved in posing with the shark did not know that they were doing anything wrong and did not think they were doing anything that could harm the shark. Those involved could face a penalty of 3 to 6 months in jail along with fines for mistreating an endangered species under Republic Act 9147.

Hawaii’s KHON2 reported that surfer Joshua Holley was released from the hospital after receiving 42 stitches in his foot. Holley was surfing on Hawaii’s North Shore when he was bitten on his left foot by what was believed to be a tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier).

Holley told KHON2 that he punched the shark on the nose, and the shark swam away. Two fellow surfers helped Holley to shore, after the attack. While Holley has a surgical procedure ahead of him to re-attach two severed tendons, he said he will “definitely” be getting back in the water.

Australia’s ABC News reports that beach closure signs, warning of sharks, have been stolen from a beach near Busselton, the site of a recent fatal shark attack. Warning signs have also been reported stolen from the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River (south of Busselton). The signs are used to warn the public of beach closures due to recent shark sightings.

A representative of the Department of Fisheries’ Shark Response Unit told ABC News that the signs were important resources for the public and said that the theft of the signs was “unacceptable.”

For the full story, head on over to ABC News.