Spike in Olive Ridley Turtle Deaths Along Tamil Nadu Coast Sparks Conservation Concerns
(Source – Indian Express, Section – Explained- Page No. – 12)
| Topic: GS3 – Environment – Conservation |
| Context |
| ● 300-350 dead olive ridley turtles have washed ashore along Tamil Nadu’s coast, particularly in Chennai and Kancheepuram districts. |
Analysis of the news:
What are Olive Ridley Turtles?
- These turtles are carnivores and get their name from their olive-coloured carapace.
- They are best known for their unique mass nesting called Arribada, where thousands of females come together on the same beach to lay eggs.
- Habitat:
- They are found in warm waters of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian oceans.
- Odisha’s Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary is known as the world’s largest rookery (a colony of breeding animals) of sea turtles.
- Protection Status:
- Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule 1
- IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
- CITES: Appendix I
Causes of Turtle Deaths
- The deaths are primarily attributed to bycatch from commercial fishing operations.
- Olive ridley turtles, needing to surface for air, asphyxiate when trapped in fishing nets.
- This year, the spike in deaths may be due to an increased presence of fish near turtle gathering areas, attracting more trawlers.
- Post-mortem reports confirmed signs of suffocation, such as lesions on lungs, bulging eyes, and swollen necks.
Need for Mitigation Measures
- Experts emphasize the urgent need to enforce the use of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) in fishing nets to allow turtles to escape.
- A comparative analysis of fish catch trends could also help identify patterns contributing to the deaths.
- Strict monitoring and regulation of fishing activities near nesting sites are essential to protect these vulnerable turtles.
The Nesting Season and Conservation Efforts
- Olive ridley turtles nest along India’s east and west coasts, with mass nesting sites in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.
- Females lay 100-110 eggs per nest, which hatch after 45-60 days. To protect eggs from predation and human disturbance, hatcheries are established by Forest Departments.
- Hatchlings are released safely into the sea, ensuring their survival.
Conclusion
- The alarming deaths of olive ridley turtles in Tamil Nadu underscore the need for stringent conservation measures, including enforcement of TEDs, regulation of fishing practices, and increased public awareness.
- Protecting these turtles is vital for maintaining marine biodiversity and ecological balance.
| Operation Olivia |
| ● Every year, the Indian Coast Guard’s “Operation Olivia”, initiated in the early 1980s, helps protect Olive Ridley turtles as they congregate along the Odisha coast for breeding and nesting from November to December.
○It also intercepts unlawful trawling activities. ●Round-the-clock surveillance is conducted from November till May utilising Coast Guard assets such as fast patrol vessels, air cushion vessels, interceptor craft and Dornier aircraft to enforce laws near the rookeries (colony of breeding animals). |
| PYQ: Which one of the following is the national aquatic animal of India? (2015)
(a) Saltwater crocodile (b) Olive ridley turtle (c) Gangetic dolphin (d) Gharial Ans: C |
| Practice Question: Analyze the causes behind the recent surge in olive ridley turtle deaths along Tamil Nadu’s coast. Discuss the impact of commercial fishing practices on turtle populations and suggest measures to mitigate such fatalities. (150 Words /10 marks) |
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