TN boosts marine patrol as turtle deaths touch 50

11-man elite force, comprising trained members of fishing community, deployed to monitor waters up to five nautical miles from the coast

- S V KRISHNA CHAITANYA

THE death toll of Olive Ridley sea turtles along the Chennai coast has climbed to 50 this season, prompting the state government to strengthen marine patrolling and surveillance during the crucial mating period.

Volunteers from Students Sea Turtle Conservation Network (SSTCN) said most of the turtles found dead so far are male. "Mating is happening, but we don't know where exactly they are getting entangled and drowning. All the carcasses that are beaching now are around three to four days old," a volunteer said, suggesting the fatalities are occurring at sea rather than close to the nesting beaches.