Olive Ridley Turtles

Context:

A spate of Olive Ridley sea turtle deaths has been witnessed off Tamil Nadu’s coast. Fisherfolk and conservationists have recorded an unusually high number of carcasses stranding along the coast since January 2025. Conservationists had tallied 1,200 dead turtles more than three times the annual average.

Olive Ridley Turtles: Ecological and Cultural Importance

The second-smallest and most abundant in the Cheloniidae family.

• It is found in warm waters, as well as tropical and subtropical regions, notably within the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
• Mostly Found
  • Tropical regions of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans.
• IUCN status
  • Endangered

• It plays a significant role in marine ecosystems as seagrass growth controllers, maintaining jellyfish populations and serving as a habitat for fish.
• Culturally speaking, they represent importance to Tamil Nadu’s fishing communities. They view them as “guests” or even “gods.”
• Their nesting period indicates December to April that is very important to date for population maintenance.

Possible Causes of Mass Deaths

• Destructive Fishing Practices
  • The main culprits are trawling and gill nets, which cause entangling and drowning.
  • Although the Tamil Nadu Marine Fishing Regulation Act of 1983 does not allow trawlers within a mile or 5 nautical miles of shore, it is rampant.
  • Conservationists say that “existing fishing in turtle aggregation zones makes matters worse.”
• Regulatory and Enforcement Failures
  • There exist many laws, but they are badly implemented.
  • There is a policy of using TEDs, which is largely neglected because fishermen claim that they decrease their catch.
• Climate and Environmental Factors
  • The north east monsoon of 2024 lingered longer than expected, causing heavy seas.
  • Plastic pollution and coastal construction (groynes) further degrade nesting habitats.

Government and Conservation Responses

• Task Force Formation
  • The Tamil Nadu government has formed a team to strengthen trawling regulations and enforce TED usage.
• Increased Patrols
  • Joint monitoring by the Fisheries and Forest Departments, Indian Coast Guard, and Marine Police.
• Legal Action
  • The National Green Tribunal has criticized the state government for failing to regulate trawlers.
• Research and Conservation Efforts
  • Plans for long term monitoring, including telemetry studies.
  • Conservationists and volunteers continue night patrols to protect eggs and relocate them to hatcheries.

Challenges and the Way Forward

• Fishermen’s Resistance to TEDs
  • Many fear financial losses and claim no viable alternatives have been provided.
• Need for Collaborative Efforts
  • Ecologists believe that better fishing regulations will benefit not only the turtles but also the traditional fishermen.
• Technology and Community Involvement
  • Tracking apps, better enforcement, and engaging local communities can help improve conservation efforts.
• Pollution Control and Habitat Protection
  • Long term conservation will be ensured if plastic waste is reduced and habitat destruction is prevented.