Olive Ridley deaths: Marine cops to be empowered to act against violators
The decision was taken during a meeting of the Nodal Task Force for Conservation and Protection of Sea Turtles held a few days ago.
Olive Ridley turtles
CHENNAI: With hundreds of Olive Ridley turtles washing ashore dead along the Chennai coasts during the ongoing nesting season, the State Forest Department has decided to empower the police officials attached to the Coastal Security Group of Tamil Nadu to take penal actions against the boats that violate fishing norms.
The decision was taken during a meeting of the Nodal Task Force for Conservation and Protection of Sea Turtles held a few days ago.
The taskforce has mooted authorising Coastal Security Group officials in the rank of sub-inspectors and above and the Marine Enforcement Wing to initiate penal action against those violating the Tamil Nadu Marine Fishing Regulation Act and Rules.
The proposal would now be sent to the State government for clearance.
The Forest Department has attributed the mass death of Olive Ridleys to the illegal operation of trawler boats within five nautical miles and lack of turtle excluder devices (TED) in trawl nets, as the carcasses of turtles hinted drowning as the cause of death.
As per department data, as many as 671 Olive Ridleys died along the Chennai coast alone between January 17 and February 4. In total, 792 dead turtles washed ashore across the State. A department document said that authorities arrested fishermen for illegal trawl net usage, resulting in the capture of 16 live Olive Ridley turtles.
These turtles were safely released into the sea on February 1. Also, more than 170 violating vessels have been identified for further action.
Advanced TEDs on anvil
During the taskforce meeting, the Fisheries Department informed that a process was under way to develop better TEDs to reduce loss of catch for fishermen while also ensuring safer escape for turtles. The department has developed and tested 50 advanced TED models.
The taskforce has asked the Fisheries Department to provide the prototype of recently developed devices to the fishermen's associations for its adoption. It also has instructed the department to stop diesel subsidy and other allowances to fishermen who have not installed TED during the nesting season, which falls between November and April.
The Forest Department will procure boats to conduct inspections in turtle movement areas.
The department has requested the Advanced Institute for Wildlife Conservation (AIWC) in Vandalur to conduct long-term telemetry studies to understand turtle movement patterns and habitat usage along the Chennai coast.
