Visakhapatnam: The rare leatherback species of sea turtle being spotted on the Vizag shore recently and the number of Olive Ridleys coming to the shore increasing every year is a matter of joy. Wildlife experts and organisations working for the conservation of the endangered marine creatures are of the view that satellite tagging of the turtles should be taken to study their movements and take right measures to protect them.
“Satellite tracking would help in bringing down the number of turtles getting caught in gill nets and directions could be given to mechanised trawlers to stay off areas which are feeding grounds and congregation areas of turtles at least during the three months of the nesting season. A GPS transmitter can be fixed on the back of the turtles,” said World Wildlife Fund for Nature India, Hyderabad advisory board chairman Anil Kumar Epur.
"As Andhra Pradesh has a long coast line of about 974 km, research work should be undertaken with such satellite projects. Because only research can help to know the rare species we have on our shore and thereby protect them. Turtles are species that indicate the state of the earth’s marine environment.” he added. The antenna on the satellite transmits signals and by mapping the points of the movement, path of migration can be determined.
Visakha Society for Protection and Care of Animals founder Pradeep Nath who has been working on the conservation of the turtles for the last 20 years in Vizag, said satellite tagging though costly would be good initiative to research about turtles. “About 400 Olive Ridley turtles come to the Vizag shore for nesting and it is increasing every year. However, due to the mechanised trawlers and non- implementation of the mandatory guidelines adult turtles are often found dead. The government should ensure basic conservation measures first to save the rare endangered species.”
“A turtle excluder device (TED) is a specialised device that allows a captured sea turtle to escape when caught in a fisherman’s net. The government machinery should ensure that the device is used by the fishermen,” he added. He also expressed concern over the habitat destruction of the turtles owing to anthropogenic activities.
