Context:

A olive ridley turtle tagged as "03233" recently traveled 3,500 kilometers from Odisha to Guhagar beach in Maharashtra, challenging previous assumptions about the distinctness of nesting sites on India’s east and west coasts. This discovery has opened new avenues for understanding the migratory patterns and reproductive strategies of these marine turtles.

About the Olive Ridley Turtle:

• The Olive Ridley turtle is a species of sea turtle known for its small size and distinctive heart-shaped, olive-colored shell.
•  It is one of the most abundant sea turtle species, found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world. Olive Ridleys are best known for their mass nesting behavior, often referred to as "arribada," where thousands of females come ashore simultaneously to lay their eggs.
• Olive Ridley turtles typically nest between December and March at specific sites on India’s east and west coasts. However, turtle "03233" marks the first recorded case of a turtle nesting on both coasts in the same nesting season.
• Researchers suggest that the turtle may have followed a migration route via Sri Lanka before reaching Ratnagiri on Maharashtra’s coast. This unprecedented journey raises important questions about the migratory routes and nesting behavior of these turtles.

Potential for Dual Nesting Strategy

• It is speculated that the turtle may be using a dual reproductive strategy, potentially adjusting the sex ratio of her hatchlings, as temperature and moisture influence offspring sex. Nesting on different coasts may help her leverage varying environmental conditions for reproductive success.
• This contrasts with data from the 1990s and 2000s, which indicated that Olive Ridleys migrate to Sri Lanka and return to their original nesting sites. However, findings from turtle "03233" and recent flipper tagging suggest greater interconnection between east and west coast populations, prompting a reassessment of conservation strategies to protect both regions.

Threats from Nearshore Fishing

• Despite ongoing research and conservation efforts, Olive Ridley turtles remain threatened by human activities, particularly nearshore fishing. Operations near nesting beaches risk entangling turtles in nets, causing injury or death.
• Several coastal areas have been identified as key turtle congregation sites, prompting researchers to call for stricter fishing regulations during nesting periods, especially near river mouths and estuaries.
• So far, 64 turtles have been tagged in Maharashtra under the monitoring program, which aims to gather more data on their movements.

Conclusion

The migration of Olive Ridley turtle "03233" provides valuable insights into the species’ migratory behavior and reproductive strategies, challenging earlier assumptions about the separation of nesting sites on India’s east and west coasts. It highlights the need for further research to fully understand their migration patterns and underscores the importance of protecting both coasts, especially amid threats like nearshore fishing. Continued research and monitoring remain essential for the species' long-term conservation.