Godavari estuary has recorded sharp fall in arrival of Olive Ridley Turtles

• The Godavari estuary has been witnessing a sharp fall in the arrival of Olive Ridley turtles during the breeding season as large numbers of them are trapped by high speed fishing boats.
• It was once known as a safe nesting ground on India’s east coast..

Godavari Estuary

• The estuary is one of the rarest eco-regions on the earth including 235.70 sq. km Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS),
• It is also home to India’s second-largest mangrove cover after the Sundarbans.
• The CWS is inhabited by 115 endangered fishing cats (Prionailurus viverrinus), Olive Ridley turtles, Indian smooth-coated otter, and saltwater crocodiles.
• It was recently in the news for facing due ignorance despite meeting all nine criteria of the Ramsar Convention

Olive Ridley turtles

• They are the smallest and most abundant of all sea turtles found in the world
• Their Major nesting sites in India are Rushikulya rookery coast (Odisha), Gahirmatha beach (Bhitarkanika National park) and mouth of the Debi River
• These are found in warm waters of the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans.
• IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
• Schedule I of Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
• CITES: Appendix I

Reasons for sharp fall

• Mechanised boats equipped with speed engines beyond the permissible capacity are proving to be death traps for Olive Ridley turtles on the Andhra coast in recent years.
• The boats and their speed are the prime factors responsible for the death of the turtles along the coast

Steps taken for conservation

• Every year, from November to December, the Indian Coast Guard's "Operation Olivia," assists in the protection of Olive Ridley turtles as they cluster along the Odisha coast for breeding and nesting.
• Mandatory use of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs): The Odisha government has made it essential for trawls to utilise Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs)
• It is a net specially built with an exit cover that allows turtles to escape while holding the catch, in order to avoid accidental killing in India.
• Installing CC camera surveillance systems on fishing boats to monitor fishing and ensure turtle conservation activity during the breeding season

Conclusion

• It’s the need of the hour to declare a fishing ban or a ban on the movement of fishing boats in a potential zone to ensure the safe arrival of turtles at the breeding spots.