Nagapattinam tops in release of Olive Ridley hatchlings

Of the 20,000-odd eggs collected from the nests, 17,000 are hatched

Homebound: Olive Ridley hatchlings making their way into the sea at Kottaigaimedu in Nagapattinam district.

Olive Ridley hatchlings are being released into the sea in hundreds at eight points along the 120-km-long coastline of Nagapattinam district, the lengthiest in the State.

On Monday, hatchlings from eggs collected from eight nests were released by the Forest department into the sea from its hatchery at Kottagaimedu, just a day after hatchlings of four nests were released.

Through its hatcheries at Kottagaimedu and seven other locations, including Kooliyar, Vanagiri, Arcattuthurai, Kodiakarai and Vizhunthamavadi, the department has released close to 5,000 hatchlings.

The district accounts for the largest number of hatchlings released into the sea during the breeding season. On an average, of the 20,000 to 22,000 eggs collected from the nests, close to 17,000 are hatched successfully and released.

But only a fraction of these survive. A majority become prey to sea birds and a good number of the Olive Ridley turtles that survive get caught in the banned gillnets of mechanised boats.

The surviving ones come back to the same location from where they were released as hatchlings to lay the eggs after a gap of 15 years, V. Gopinath, Forest Range Officer, Sirgazhi, said.

The department has been on its toes for the last few months to ensure that the calcium-rich eggs are not preyed on by dogs. The eggs have to be maintained at temperatures of 30 to 32 degree Celsius for hatching that takes 45 to 60 days.

The department has employed fishermen at the eight locations to keep vigil and collect the eggs from the nests. As a result of the high tides on Sunday, scores of Olive Ridleys laid eggs at Vanagiri. The nests were located based on the footprint at seven to eight locations at an average depth of 45 cm, officials said.

The department has its hands full. Within a month from now, when the nesting season ends, at least 10,000 more hatchlings will have to be released into the sea from the eight hatcheries. Simultaneously, the department is continuing with the awareness exercise in the form of drawing competition for school children and distribution of pamphlets in coastal villages for conservation of the endangered species.