Olive Ridley Turtles

Context

Environmentalists sounded alarms after a surge in Olive Ridley turtle deaths along the Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu coasts. Carcasses washing ashore near Visakhapatnam and Chennai point to fishing bycatch during the peak nesting season as the primary cause.

About the Olive Ridley Turtle

Physical traits: Named for its olive-green, heart-shaped carapace; the smallest and most abundant sea turtle species.
Size & weight: ~60–70 cm; 35–45 kg.
Diet: Omnivorous like jellyfish, shrimp, snails, crabs, algae.
Migration: Remarkable long-distance migrants; Indian nesters travel thousands of kilometers from the South Indian Ocean and even Australia.

The Phenomenon of Arribada

Definition: Mass nesting (“arrival”) where thousands of females nest synchronously over successive nights.
Indian hubs (Odisha):
- Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary
- Rushikulya River Mouth
- Devi River Mouth
Season: November–April; incubation ~45–60 days.

Threats and Conservation Status

Legal protection

Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I
IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
CITES: Appendix I

Major threats

Fishing bycatch: Air-breathing turtles drown when trapped in trawl/gill nets.
Coastal lighting: Artificial lights disorient hatchlings away from the sea.
Habitat loss: Erosion and construction degrade nesting beaches.

Conservation Efforts

Operation Olivia: Annual coastal mission by the Indian Coast Guard to enforce seasonal fishing bans near nesting sites.
Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs): Net attachments that allow turtles to escape while retaining fish; mandatory but unevenly enforced.

Way Forward

Stricter enforcement: Keep mechanized trawlers beyond the 8-km no-fishing zone during breeding months.
Community-led protection: Engage fishers as “Turtle Guardians” to protect nests and manage hatcheries.
Eco-friendly lighting: Shielded, downward-facing coastal lights to reduce hatchling disorientation.

Conclusion

Protecting Olive Ridley turtles demands coordinated enforcement, fisher participation, and habitat-friendly coastal planning. Sustained action during nesting seasons can curb bycatch, secure arribada beaches, and preserve India’s vital marine biodiversity for future generations.

Olive Ridley Turtles