Chennai, Dec 1 (NationPress) As the much-anticipated nesting and mating season for sea turtles commences in Chennai, conservationists are expressing significant alarm following the discovery of ten deceased turtles along the coastline between Lighthouse and Besant Nagar this week.

This alarming occurrence, noted prior to the peak nesting phase, has heightened concerns regarding the olive ridley turtles, a species that is already facing critical endangerment and relies heavily on the Tamil Nadu coastline for its reproductive activities.

Individuals from the conservation community and forest officials who inspected the remains observed that while isolated instances of turtle fatalities are not rare during this season, the discovery of such a large number within a limited coastal area is indeed unusual.

The upper sections of the carcasses were predominantly intact, whereas the lower portions were notably decomposed, suggesting that the turtles may have perished several days prior to being washed ashore by ocean currents.

Globally, entanglement in fishing nets remains the primary cause of turtle mortality, as it also inhibits their ability to surface for air. Experts have indicated that threats along the Tamil Nadu coastline are becoming increasingly complex.

Factors such as vessel strikes, consumption of plastic, marine debris, and rampant coastal pollution are progressively contributing to these fatalities.

A senior wildlife official confirmed that the department's veterinarian conducted necropsies on all turtles before their interment. Preliminary findings indicate that the deaths were not linked to nearshore trawling, a practice prohibited within five nautical miles of the Chennai coast.

“Initial examinations do not exhibit signs of injury related to trawling,” the official stated, noting that further investigations may clarify the precise causes.

Weather conditions could also play a role. V. Balaji, a deep-sea boat owner from Kasimedu, mentioned that rough seas over recent days have kept many trawlers docked. Boats that had gone out earlier were redirected to safer ports in Nellore and Kakinada.

“No deep-sea vessels from Kasimedu have set sail recently,” he remarked, implying that ongoing fishing activities may not be directly responsible for the turtle deaths.

In light of these escalating concerns, the Forest Department is gearing up to initiate a telemetry study on olive ridleys to monitor their migration patterns and pinpoint high-risk areas along the coast. Three patrol boats have already been acquired for enhanced surveillance between Neelankarai and Ennore. Nevertheless, officials recognize that the recent turtle fatalities underline the critical need to commence patrol operations immediately, well in advance of the peak nesting season.