Tue Jan 28 06:53:20 UTC 2025: ## Chennai Forms Task Force to Tackle Mass Olive Ridley Sea Turtle Deaths

**Chennai, Tamil Nadu, January 28, 2025** – A task force has been established in Chennai to address the alarmingly high death toll of Olive Ridley sea turtles along the city’s coast. Over 700 carcasses have been reported since mid-January, with conservationists reporting a potentially higher number exceeding 1,000. While the exact cause remains under investigation, authorities cite trawling as the primary suspect.

The task force, led by Chief Wildlife Warden Rakesh Kumar Dogra, comprises officials from various departments including Environment and Climate Change, Fisheries, the Coast Guard, and the Coastal Protection Committee. Their initial strategy focuses on stricter enforcement of existing regulations. This includes a ban on trawl fishing near shore, mandatory use of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) in fishing nets, and restrictions on boat engine horsepower. To date, 24 trawlers have been fined for violations, and future subsidies will be withheld from non-compliant vessels. The Fisheries Department has also warned against the disabling of GPS transponders, a practice that jeopardizes eligibility for government benefits.

The task force aims to increase post-mortem examinations of washed-ashore turtles by at least 50% to expedite cause-of-death determination. While some fishermen suggest rough weather and currents may be transporting carcasses from Andhra Pradesh, Mr. Dogra notes a concurrent decline in nesting numbers, indicating potential local impact.

Research institutions, including AIWC and TANUVAS, have been tasked with ongoing and long-term studies of turtle mortality and migration patterns to provide further scientific data. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has also taken cognizance of the situation. The multi-pronged approach highlights the seriousness of the crisis and the collaborative effort to protect the endangered Olive Ridley sea turtle population.

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