I think it’s still a sought-for delicacy, and they would have probably sold its meat if it weren’t for the environmental regulations making such a trade difficult.
Also, something is gnawing me about how the article said lots of other seafood are available in the area. So I am thinking the sea turtle crawled its way to where the victims are, and the victims thinking “it’s a waste if we let this delicacy go to waste, let’s cook it!” I don’t know.
Definitely not a bunch of rich dudes gorging themselves on a rare delicacy and getting their comeuppance tho.
So, you want to be an isekai protagonist. Understandable, me too!