Source: NIE
Context: The Indian Coast Guard, under Operation Olivia, successfully protected a record 6.98 lakh Olive Ridley turtles during their mass nesting at the Rushikulya river mouth in Odisha.
About Operation Olivia:
- What it is: A flagship marine conservation initiative launched annually by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) from November to May to protect Olive Ridley turtles during their mass nesting season.
- Organisation Involved: Indian Coast Guard in collaboration with State Pollution Control Boards, NGOs, and local fishing communities.
- Objectives:
- Prevent illegal fishing during turtle breeding season.
- Ensure safe nesting along Odisha’s key beaches (Gahirmatha, Rushikulya, Devi).
- Promote use of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) among fishing communities.
- Key Features:
- 5,387+ surface patrol sorties and 1,768+ aerial missions since inception.
- Extensive community outreach, educational awareness, and MoUs with NGOs.
- Use of modern surveillance systems and inter-agency coordination for enforcement.
About Olive Ridley Turtles:
- Scientific Name: Lepidochelys olivacea
- IUCN Status: Vulnerable
- Habitat & Distribution:
- Found in warm waters of the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans.
- Major nesting sites in India: Odisha (Gahirmatha, Rushikulya, Devi), Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
- Biological Features:
- Smallest sea turtle species, weighing up to 45 kg, olive-coloured, heart-shaped carapace.
- Arribada (mass nesting): Thousands of turtles nest simultaneously, especially from Nov–Apr.
- Omnivorous diet: Feeds on crustaceans, jellyfish, algae, molluscs.
