Tragic surge in Olive Ridley turtle deaths sparks concern

A devastatingly high number of dead Olive Ridley turtles have washed ashore along Tamil Nadu’s coast over the past two weeks, with experts estimating that more than 1,000 turtles have been found so far. In some areas, dozens of carcasses are being discovered daily, leaving environmentalists and local residents deeply alarmed, particularly as this tragedy coincides with the turtles’ critical nesting season.

Olive Ridley turtles, among the smallest of the world’s sea turtles, are listed as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. These marine reptiles must surface to breathe and are known for their extraordinary migrations, often covering thousands of kilometres between feeding and breeding grounds. They arrive near Tamil Nadu’s coast around September or October to breed, with nesting season commencing in late November and continuing until March.

One potential cause of the recent deaths is the use of large nets for squid and cuttlefish fishing. These kilometre-long nets, weighted at the bottom, can entangle turtles and prevent them from surfacing for air, leading to suffocation. Trawler nets pose an equally lethal threat, as they frequently violate existing regulations.

In response, the Tamil Nadu government has intensified its efforts to combat illegal trawling in nearshore waters. The fisheries department has launched a crackdown, apprehending 24 trawler boats operating within the prohibited zone of five nautical miles and framing charges against violators. Additionally, a task force has been formed to address the crisis. Awareness sessions for trawl fishermen have also been conducted by the Forest and Fisheries Departments, with one such session held at Kasimedu.

The ecological significance of Olive Ridley turtles cannot be overstated. These turtles play a vital role in maintaining the marine ecosystem’s equilibrium by feeding on invertebrates and crustaceans that live on the seabed, which helps release oxygen locked there. However, the survival rate of hatchlings remains dismally low, with scientists estimating that only one in 1,000 hatchlings survives to adulthood, the rest often falling prey to larger marine predators.

Traditional fisherfolk have warned that hundreds of dead turtles are still floating in the open sea, with ocean currents expected to carry their carcasses to the shore in the coming days. The toll is not limited to Olive Ridleys; the carcass of a juvenile green turtle, one of the largest endangered sea turtle species, was discovered near the Sadras fishing village last week.

This tragic surge in turtle deaths underscores the urgent need for stricter enforcement of fishing regulations, greater awareness among fishermen and coordinated conservation efforts to protect these endangered marine creatures during their vulnerable nesting season.