Context:

Over the past two weeks, 300-350 dead Olive Ridley turtles have washed ashore in Tamil Nadu, particularly in Chennai. While turtle deaths during nesting season are not unusual, the high number early in the season raises concern.

·        Experts attribute the deaths to bycatch in commercial fishing nets, as turtles often get trapped and drown. The increase in fish near turtle gathering areas likely led to more trawlers, exacerbating the problem.

·        Post-mortem reveals suffocation and drowning. Experts recommend enforcing turtle-excluding devices in nets and analyzing fishing activity to prevent further fatalities.

About Olive Ridley Turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea)

The Olive Ridley sea turtle is the second-smallest and most abundant sea turtle species globally. Renowned for their unique mass nesting behavior known as arribadas, where thousands of females gather on the same beach to lay their eggs, these turtles play a significant role in marine ecosystems.

Physical Characteristics

• Size: Both males and females reach similar sizes, though females generally have a slightly more rounded carapace (shell).
• Carapace: The shell is heart-shaped and rounded, which gives the species its common name "olive ridley." The carapace is olive-green, which adds to the turtle’s distinct appearance.
• Hatchlings: When Olive Ridley turtles hatch, their shells are dark grey and appear black when wet.

Distribution

• Olive Ridley turtles are found in warm and tropical waters across the Pacific and Indian Oceans, with some populations also inhabiting warm areas of the Atlantic Ocean.
• The most important breeding ground for these turtles is located on Gahirmatha Beach in Odisha, India, which hosts large-scale arribadas.

Diet

• Carnivorous: Olive Ridley turtles are carnivorous, particularly in their early, immature stages. They feed primarily on jellyfish, small fish, and other marine invertebrates.

Ecological Significance

• The mass nesting behavior (arribadas) of Olive Ridley turtles plays a vital role in beach ecosystems, influencing the structure of the beach and the populations of other species.
• These turtles contribute to maintaining the balance of marine life by controlling jellyfish populations and providing nutrients to beach ecosystems.

Conservation Status

• IUCN Red List: Olive Ridley turtles are currently listed as Vulnerable due to threats from human activities and environmental factors.
• CITES: They are classified under Appendix I, which includes species threatened with extinction and that are prohibited from international trade unless under special circumstances.

Threats

• Unsustainable Egg Collection: Human collection of turtle eggs for consumption and trade.
• Slaughtering on the Beach: Turtles are sometimes killed by poachers for their meat and shells.
• Boat Collisions: The turtles are often struck by boats, leading to injury or death.
• Marine Debris: Turtles can get entangled in or ingest marine debris, such as plastic, which poses significant health risks.
• Natural Disasters: Storms and natural calamities can damage nesting sites.
• Climate Change: Rising sea levels and changing temperatures affect nesting and hatching success.
• Beach Erosion: Coastal development and erosion are destroying important nesting habitats.