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Before that, a reminder of the sad state of affairs today. The last two weeks have seen the carcasses of nearly 20
The nets, once cast, remain under water for at least two hours. The Ridleys, which cannot remain underwater for over an hour, suffocate to death. The Ridley mortality could have been minimised if Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) had been fitted to the fishing nets, say experts. How do these devices work? It is a special netted door-like grid in the back of the net designed to let the turtles escape. However, there is no rule stating that it is mandatory for trawlers to use the device.
They follow the nest by following the turtle tracks, collect the eggs and place them in a temporary hatchery in Neelankarai. The volunteers stay at the hatchery every night till the eggs hatch, which is in about 50 days. These hatchlings are then released into the sea.
Sethulakshmy Nayar
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Let’s turn from the old and the new to mother Nature this week. To conservation! And what better place than Elliots Beach? Famous for the turtle walks to conserve the Olive Ridley, a variety of small marine turtles.
Back to conservation, active at work are the Students Sea Turtle Conservation Network and the Friends of Beach Exnora. Formed by the students of the Madras Christian College, the SSTCN has been organising turtle walks for the past 14 years. Every Friday and Saturday, the volunteers gather at 10.30 p.m. near Besant Nagar beach. They cover 7 km along the coast between Elliots Beach and
Neelankarai.
A commendable effort considering the Olive Ridley is an endangered species, whose numbers have been dwindling over the years. And it is only efforts like these that can save such species. So let’s hope more helping hands will come forward to carry on the good work. And start a campaign too advocating the use of
TEDs!
