Archive · 21 Dec 2025
Olive Ridley Turtles Drowning Along Vizag Coast
Many Olive Ridley turtles are dying because they get stuck in fishing nets and can't come up for air.
This is happening along the coast of Vizag, India, before their nesting season starts.
Experts are worried and want stricter rules to protect the turtles.
The government is working with groups to open special places called hatcheries to help baby turtles.
They are also taking extra care during a big festival to make sure the turtles are safe.
These turtles are special because there aren't many left, and they need our help to survive.
Numerous Olive Ridley turtle carcasses found along Vizag's coast before nesting season.
Turtles drown after getting entangled in fishing nets while surfacing for oxygen.
Forest officials and conservationists call for stricter enforcement of fishing regulations.
Four hatcheries to be opened in January with close monitoring for turtle protection.
Special precautions planned for Visakha Utsav 2025 to ensure festivities do not disturb turtles.
- Who
- Olive Ridley turtles, conservationists, forest officials, fishermen, marine biologists
- What
- Drowning of Olive Ridley turtles due to entanglement in fishing nets
- When
- Before nesting season, with hatcheries planned for January
- Where
- Vizag coast from Coastal Battery to Bheemunipatnam, Andhra Pradesh
- Why
- Turtles surface for oxygen every 40-45 minutes and drown when trapped in nets
- Species
- Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea)
- IUCN Status
- Vulnerable
- Nesting Season
- December to April
- Critical Beaches
- Nellore to Srikakulam, including Visakhapatnam
- Threats
- Fishing nets, artificial lighting
- Hatchery Plan
- Four hatcheries to open in January
- Event Precautions
- Visakha Utsav 2025 (Jan 23-31)