Bhitarkanika officials urge fishermen to protect endangered Olive Ridley Sea Turtles

Kendrapara, Nov 5 (UNI) Officials of Bhitarkanika National Park have organised an awareness meeting with marine fishermen at Sasanpeta under the Gahirmatha Wildlife and Forest Range to address the rising mortality of the endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles.

During the meeting, fishermen were urged to avoid fishing in the prohibited zones of the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary and actively participate in the conservation of the species, which arrives in large numbers for mass nesting on the sanctuary’s golden beaches.

The event was attended by Vardaraj Gaonkar, DFO of Rajnagar Mangrove and Wildlife Division; ACF Manas Kumar Das; forest officials; AFO Mahakalapada Satabdhi Subhadra Priyadarshini; IIC of Tantiapala Marine Police Station; and environmentalists.

Marine fishermen from the coastal pockets of the Mahakalapada block also participated in the awareness programme.
Gaonkar urged the fishing community to contribute to the preservation of Olive Ridley turtles, emphasising that protecting this endangered species is crucial for maintaining environmental balance.
He noted that turtles, part of the reptile group Testudines, have evolved over the past 310 million years, and only four major groups remain today.
Gahirmatha is globally significant as the largest mass nesting site for Olive Ridley sea turtles. The area is also an important breeding and feeding ground for marine fish.

A high abundance of fish in the region, indicated by larger catches, reflects its rich productivity. Moreover, Olive Ridleys’ selective feeding on jellyfish helps protect fish larvae, sustaining fish populations and local fisheries.

Forest officials urged fishermen to refrain from using trawlers in the sanctuary’s prohibited zones.
ACF Manas Kumar Das explained that large trawlers illegally venturing into these waters have caused significant Olive Ridley mortality.
Turtles often become entangled in long fishing nets and are dragged for several kilometres, resulting in death.

The Olive Ridley is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, receiving the same level of protection as endangered tigers.
Officials stressed that active cooperation from the fishing community is vital to safeguard these endangered reptiles.