Olive Ridley Turtle Deaths Off Tamil Nadu Coast
Why in the news
Fisherfolk and conservationists recorded an unusually large number of turtle carcasses on Tamil Nadu’s shore since January 2025, roughly 1,200 in all and more than three times the yearly average.
About Olive Ridley turtles
- Second-smallest and most abundant in the Cheloniidae family; found in warm, tropical and subtropical waters of the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic oceans.
- IUCN status: Endangered.
- Ecological role: control seagrass growth, keep jellyfish numbers in check and provide habitat for fish.
- Tamil Nadu fishing communities treat them as “guests” or even “gods”.
- Nesting season runs December to April, vital for the population.
Possible causes
| Cause | Detail |
|---|---|
| Destructive fishing | Trawling and gill nets entangle and drown turtles; the Tamil Nadu Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1983 bars trawlers within 5 nautical miles, yet violations are common; fishing in turtle aggregation zones worsens it |
| Weak enforcement | Laws exist but are poorly applied; the TED policy is neglected because fishers claim lower catch |
| Climate and environment | Prolonged 2024 north-east monsoon caused rough seas; plastic pollution and coastal groynes degrade nesting sites |
Responses
- Tamil Nadu formed a task force to tighten trawling rules and enforce TEDs.
- Joint patrols by Fisheries and Forest Departments, Indian Coast Guard and Marine Police.
- The National Green Tribunal criticised the state for failing to regulate trawlers.
- Long-term monitoring including telemetry studies; volunteers patrol at night and shift eggs to hatcheries.
Challenges and way forward
- Fishers fear income loss and say alternatives are lacking.
- Better regulation would also benefit traditional fishers.
- Tracking apps, stronger enforcement, community involvement, less plastic and protected habitats.
Exam angle
- IUCN status: Endangered.
- Nesting period: December to April.
- Device to save turtles in nets: TED.