Over 1,300 endangered olive ridley turtle carcasses have washed up along Tamil Nadu’s coastline in the past three weeks. The death toll is more than triple the usual number. The primary culprits appear to be bottom trawling and gill nets used by commercial fishing vessels. These commercial fishing vessels operate illegally within the five-nautical mile zone reserved for artisanal fishermen. Here are all of the other important details that you would need to know about these particular tragic mass deaths.
Over 1,300 Dead Olive Ridley Turtles Found Along Tamil Nadu Coast
The sea-turtle massacre going on in Tamil Nadu shows how the mechanized fishing industry largely functions above the law. One dead turtle lies bulge-eyed every few strides on the beach. Over 500 breeding turtles have died in Chennai within a month of Olive ridley season. pic.twitter.com/TlVhPft8kO
— M.Yuvan (@Yuvan_aves) January 24, 2025
According to an article that was recently published by the Hindustan Times or HT, many large-scale fishing companies continue to flout regulations. The Tamil Nadu Marine Fishing Regulation Act of 1983 mandates the use of turtle excluder devices or TEDs and restricts trawling activities.
The state government has responded by establishing a task force and implementing stricter enforcement measures. Authorities have impounded 30 trawler boats and filed charges against 172 others for violations. First-time offenders face fines of ₹5,000, potential boat impoundment, and cuts to fuel subsidies.
However, the crisis is complex, with multiple contributing factors. The unusual persistence of the 2024 northeast monsoon beyond its typical December end has created turbulent sea conditions. Some fishing industry representatives argue that strong easterly currents might be washing up carcasses from distant waters, suggesting the problem extends beyond local fishing practices.
Also Read: Over 10,000 Olive Ridley Hatchlings Released At Chennai’s Besant Nagar Beach; IAS Shares Videos
What Can Be Done About This Situation?
We all remember this: a straw being pulled from a male olive ridley sea turtle’s nostril.
Yes, plastic straws cause harm, but hundreds of thousands of sea turtles die every year in bycatch, and we will soon lose them all forever if we don’t fix that – but will we? pic.twitter.com/PdeNxvWnOz
— Dr Tom Montgomery (@DrTOMontgomery) February 8, 2025
Environmental experts emphasise the crucial role these turtles play in marine ecosystems. Olive ridley turtles help maintain ocean floor health by feeding on invertebrates and crustaceans, releasing trapped oxygen in the process. However, their survival rate is remarkably low, with only one in 1,000 hatchlings reaching maturity.
The Tamil Nadu forest department has announced several initiatives, including establishing an Integrated Biodiversity Conservation Centre and partnering with the Indian Coast Guard for enhanced patrolling. They’re also planning long-term studies, including telemetry research, to better understand and protect these endangered creatures.
Conservationists stress that successful protection requires a unified approach involving all stakeholders, from local fishermen to government departments. They also highlight the need to address other threats, such as plastic pollution and coastal development, which continue to endanger these vulnerable marine species.
Also Read: After Odisha, Olive Ridley Turtle Hatchlings Grace The Coasts Of Morjim Beach In Goa
How else do you think the situation can be aided? Let us know in the comments section below!
Cover Image Credits: @Yuvan_aves and @DrTOMontgomery/X (Formerly, Twitter)
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First Published: February 13, 2025 11:50 AM