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All About Olive Ridley Sea Turtles, Odisha, India UPSC CSE

Olive Ridley Turtles

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Summary of Olive Ridley Turtle

The Olive Ridley turtle, named for its olive-colored shell, is a small but significant species in marine ecosystems, known for synchronized mass nesting events called arribadas. Adults range from 62 to 70 centimeters in length and weigh 35 to 45 kilograms, with sexual dimorphism evident in size and tail length. They have a wide distribution across tropical and subtropical waters globally, undertaking extensive migrations between feeding and breeding grounds. Despite their abundance, Olive Ridley Turtles face threats such as accidental capture in fishing gear, habitat loss, poaching, light pollution, and climate change. Various government initiatives, including Operation Olivia and mandating Turtle Excluder Devices, aim to protect them. These efforts are complemented by community engagement and tagging programs to track turtle movements. Addressing these threats requires a comprehensive approach, including research, conservation, and community involvement. Understanding nesting patterns and mitigating human impacts through sustainable practices are crucial for the long-term survival of Olive Ridley Turtles.

Operation Olivia is an annual effort by the Indian Coast Guard to protect Olive Ridley Turtles during their breeding and nesting season along the Odisha coast.

Arribadas are large synchronized nesting events where tens of thousands of female Olive Ridley Turtles converge on shore to lay their eggs over just a few days.

Olive Ridley Turtles have a widespread distribution across tropical and subtropical waters globally, including the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans.

Gahirmatha, situated within the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha, is known for having perhaps the largest nesting population of Olive Ridley Turtles in the Indian Ocean.

Background of Olive Ridley Turtle

Named for their olive-colored carapace( shell), these turtles play a crucial role in marine ecosystems and have captivated the attention of scientists, conservationists, and nature enthusiasts worldwide. They are one of the smallest species of sea turtles. Olive ridleys are famous for their arribadas, where tens of thousands of female turtles converge on shore for synchronized mass nesting, occurring over just a few days. Following hatching, millions of olive ridley turtle hatchlings make their way back into the ocean.

Introduction of Olive Ridley Turtle

An adult olive ridley turtle usually ranges in length from 62 to 70 centimeters and weighs approximately 35 to 45 kilograms. Compared to the closely related Kemp's ridley turtle, it has a smaller head and a smaller shell. Both the front and rear flippers of adult olive ridleys typically have one or two visible claws, with occasional instances of an extra claw on the front flippers. Juvenile olive ridleys are charcoal grey, while adults exhibit a dark greyish-green coloration. Hatchlings appear mostly grey, turning black when wet, with a greenish tint on the sides.

The tracks left by olive ridley turtles are typically around 70 to 80 centimeters wide, appearing light in color and featuring asymmetrical, oblique marks created by their forelimbs. These tracks usually lack a noticeable tail drag mark or may have one that is difficult to discern.

Sexual dimorphism is evident in adult olive ridley turtles. Compared to females, mature males tend to be lighter in weight and possess longer, thicker tails. These distinctive tails serve a specific purpose during copulation.

Distribution

The olive ridley turtle boasts a widespread distribution, making it one of the most abundant sea turtle species globally. With a circumtropical presence, these turtles are commonly found across various regions. They typically roam offshore in surface waters or dive to depths reaching up to 150 meters, where they feed on bottom-dwelling crustaceans.

Their habitat spans the tropical and subtropical warm waters of the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans. In the Eastern Pacific, olive ridleys can be observed from southern California to northern Chile. Within the Indian Ocean, they inhabit tropical warm waters and the coasts of countries such as India and Sri Lanka. Similarly, in the Atlantic Ocean, sightings have been recorded off the western coast of Africa and South America, including the coasts of northern Brazil, Suriname, Guyana, French Guiana, and Venezuela.

In India, olive ridley turtles have been sighted in numerous locations along both the east and west coasts, as well as on various islands in the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea. These sightings span several coastal states and union territories, including West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Gujarat, along with the Union Territories of Goa, Puducherry, Lakshadweep, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Among these regions, certain coastal areas hold particular significance for olive ridley turtles due to their nesting activities. Notably, Gahirmatha, the Devi River mouth, and Rushikulya stand out as three crucial and visually stunning nesting sites for these turtles in the state of Odisha.

Gahirmatha, situated within the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha, boasts perhaps the largest nesting population of olive ridley turtles in the Indian Ocean. Here, an average of approximately 398,000 females undertake nesting activities in a given year.

Migration Patterns

Olive ridleys are known for their extensive migrations, often covering great distances between their feeding and breeding grounds. Nesting activities occur in nearly 60 countries worldwide, where females come ashore in mass numbers to lay their eggs. Additionally, these turtles are believed to utilize the coastal waters of over 80 countries during their migratory movements, further highlighting their remarkable distribution and adaptability to various marine environments.

Population and Conservation Status of Olive Ridley Turtles

The Olive Ridley Turtle is recognized as the one of the smallest and most populous among all sea turtle species globally, with an approximate annual nesting count of 800,000 females. Currently, it holds protected status under India's Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972, listed in Schedule I. Furthermore, it is classified as "Vulnerable" on the IUCN Red List and listed under Appendix I of CITES.

Taxonomy and Biology of the Olive Ridley Turtle

Threats to Olive Ridley Turtles

Olive Ridley Turtles, despite their widespread distribution and abundance, face a multitude of threats that endanger their populations and habitats. These threats stem from human activities and environmental factors, posing significant challenges to the conservation of this species.

  1. Accidental Capture in Fishing Gear:
    • One of the most pressing threats to Olive Ridley Turtles is accidental entanglement and drowning in fishing nets, particularly gillnets and trawls. Uncontrolled fishing activities, especially in nesting areas, increase the risk of incidental capture, leading to injury or death of these turtles.
  2. Habitat Loss and Degradation:
    • The destruction and degradation of natural habitats along Olive Ridley nesting beaches pose a serious threat to their survival.
    • Developmental activities such as the construction of shipyards, docks, and infrastructure for tourism centres result in habitat destruction and pollution. The release of oil and gas into sensitive coastal habitats further exacerbates the problem, impacting nesting success and hatchling survival.
  3. Poaching:
    • Olive Ridley Turtles are targeted by poachers for various reasons, including their meat, shells, and leather. Additionally, there is a significant demand for their eggs in coastal regions, where they are harvested illegally for consumption or sale.
  4. Light Pollution:
    • Light pollution on nesting beaches disrupts the natural behaviors of Olive Ridley Turtles, particularly during the crucial nesting and hatching periods. Artificial lighting can disorient hatchlings, leading them away from the ocean or attracting predators. It also deters nesting females from coming ashore to lay their eggs, impacting reproductive success.
  5. Global Warming and Climate Change:
    • The effects of global warming and climate change pose significant threats to Olive Ridley Turtles and their habitats. Rising temperatures and changing weather patterns can disrupt nesting habitats, alter ocean currents, and affect food availability. Furthermore, the sex of turtle hatchlings is determined by the temperature at which the eggs are incubated, with warmer temperatures resulting in predominantly female hatchlings. This imbalance in sex ratios could have profound implications for population dynamics and long-term survival.

Government Initiatives to Protect Olive Ridley Turtles

Various government agencies and departments have implemented several measures to safeguard Olive Ridley Turtles, recognizing their importance in marine ecosystems and the need for conservation efforts. Here are some key initiatives:

Conclusion of Olive Ridley Turtle

Addressing the threats faced by Olive Ridley Turtles requires a multifaceted approach that encompasses both research and conservation initiatives. Understanding the intricacies of nest site selection patterns and the potential impacts of climate change on nesting habitats is important to implementing effective conservation strategies.

The formulation of a comprehensive National Recovery Plan for Marine Turtles, inclusive of Olive Ridleys, is essential for coordinating protection, conservation, and management efforts across Indian coasts. Moreover, the development and implementation of specific guidelines for ecologically sustainable fisheries management, coupled with legislative and regulatory measures, are crucial steps in mitigating the threat posed by coastal fisheries to marine turtles. By implementing these recommendations and enacting tailored conservation actions through recovery plans and threat abatement strategies, we can work towards ensuring the long-term survival and well-being of Olive Ridley Turtles and other marine turtle species.

Prelims PYQS of All About Olive Ridley Sea Turtles, Odisha, India

Which one of the following is the national aquatic animal of India? (2015)
(a) Saltwater crocodile
(b) Olive Ridley turtle
(c) Gangetic dolphin
(d) Gharial

Correct Answer :(c) Gangetic dolphin

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