US experts visit Pulicat to educate villagers on sea turtle conservation

Scientists Kendall, Joseph along with research director John Kingsley from the World Marine Research Centre landed at the fishing harbour in Pulicat and began checking the fishing nets of the local fishermen to find out if any sea turtles had been trapped in their nets and if they were being caught for commercial trade.

“The scientists later explained us about the utility value of sea turtles which helps clean the sea environment by eating jellyfish and other pollutants in the sea thereby cleaning the water and helping fish breed better. They also checked our nets and shared information on the types of fishing that could harm sea turtles,” said a fisherman from Pulicat.

According to the villagers, the American scientists were specifically looking for the endangered Olive Ridley turtles that nest on the Chennai coast in large numbers every year. “They also visited our fish market to see if the turtles are caught and sold in the markets. They were also looking out for turtleeggs that are found abundantly along these coasts during the nesting season,” a member of the Pulicat area fishermen association said.

The scientists accompanied officials from the Fisheries Department as well as Tiruvallur district revenue officials. The unexpected visit of the American scientists at the fishing harbour led to some commotion in the morning hours.