Olive Ridely turtle mortality in Orissa declines sharply

The Times of India 24 Jun 10;

There is some good news for wildlife enthusiasts. The mortality rate of Olive Ridley sea turtles, the most endangered species, along the Devi river mouth in Orissa had drastically come down in the just concluded nesting and breeding season, according to Global environment watchdog Greenpeace.

An evaluation of the turtle season from November 2009-May 2010 by Greenpeace revealed a sharp reduction of 60% in turtle mortality in the Devi region, signifying “better management” of Orissa’s coastal fisheries by the state government.

“The turtle mortality count supported by Greenpeace India provides a reference to evaluate the state government’s enforcement of the Orissa Marine Fisheries Regulation Act (OFRA) and Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) directives, with emphasis on the Devi region.

Greenpeace said turtle mortalities have notably dropped by 60 per cent when compared to 2008-2009 in the Devi region. There have also been a record 3500 plus turtle nests in the Devi region, the highest in the last decade.

“The forest and fisheries departments have taken a positive step forward with effective marine patrolling near Devi in the 2009-2010 season, proving that reducing the annual turtle mortality is not an impossible task. These efforts need to be sustained every year, and the government simultaneously needs to expedite the process of a comprehensive alternative livelihood programme, particularly for the Gahirmatha region, for impacted traditional fishermen”, said Sanjiv Gopal, campaign manager, Oceans, Greenpeace.

Increased patrolling in the Devi region, and an evolving understanding from fisher communities, has resulted in reduced illegal mechanised fishing, and thus a lower turtle death toll.

“If Orissa’s fishery dependent livelihoods and fragile marine environment need to be conserved and sustained, the effective enforcement of existing laws is required. This is necessary to restore fish stocks, especially in Orissa’s territorial waters, which are currently under severe stress due to the large number of mechanised fishing vessels operating within 10 km. of the shore” Mr Gopal remarked.

Greenpeace’s campaigning efforts in Orissa are focussed on enabling the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary in Kendrapara district to become a model for better biodiversity conservation and a tool for fisheries management; one that successfully addresses potential conflicts between conservation and livelihoods. A successful model in Orissa can serve as a guiding reference for marine conservation in rest of the country.