Many of the first batch olive ridley turtles which choose Andhra Pradesh coast for the annual breeding season are dying before they reach the destination after being trapped in the fishing nets.
The coast, a safe breeding zone, is now witnessing the deaths in the recent years. The average lifespan of the turtle is 50. The conservation status is ‘vulnerable’ with their population dwindling due to various threats as per the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The breeding normally commences in January and the conservation authorities prepare the ground for the season until mid-summer.
“We try our best to release the turtles back into the sea if they are trapped in our nets. In many cases, they are dead by the time we notice them,” fishermen told The Hindu . The prime reason for the rise in the deaths is the absence of the ‘Turtle Excluder Device.’
The Wildlife authorities have identified 12 strategic locations to set up rookeries between the Krishna and the Koringa wildlife sanctuaries which witness a huge turnout of the turtles.
“Seven rookeries will come up in the East Godavari district and five in the Krishna sanctuary alone,” DFO (Wildlife-Eluru) Ananth Shankar said.
The authorities deploy special teams at the rookeries to save them from stray dogs and collect eggs for conservation. The hatchlings will be released into the sea in phases, marking the end of breeding season.
