Mangaluru: The Arabian Sea Fisheries Management Coordination Committee (Sea-MC²), in collaboration with the forest department and the College of Fisheries, has proposed a systematic turtle tagging programme starting next Olive Ridley turtle nesting season.Dr Shivakumar Magada, director general of Sea-MC², told TOI that tagging is a globally recognised scientific method used to identify and track sea turtles over time. “It involves attaching a small, uniquely coded tag, such as flipper tags or passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags, in a safe and non-invasive manner,” he said.While hatchlings are generally not tagged due to their fragile nature, the team plans limited ‘nano-tagging’ under controlled conditions to study early survival, movement patterns, and feeding behaviour. The initiative aims to generate crucial data on migratory routes, nesting site fidelity, growth rates, survival patterns, and population dynamics. “The data will help design more evidence-based conservation strategies, identify critical habitats, and strengthen both regional and national turtle protection efforts,” he added.84 hatchlings at SasihithluMeanwhile, hatchlings from the fourth Olive Ridley nest along the Mangaluru coast made their way into the sea on Tuesday night. At Sasihithlu, 84 hatchlings emerged from a total of 129 eggs. This season, eight nests have been recorded so far, particularly in Idya, Bengre, and Sasihithlu, said the forest department.DCF Antony Mariyappa is overseeing conservation efforts along the coast. Officials, including ACF Mangaluru sub-division Shashikanth S Vibhute, range forest officer, coastal and marine ecosystem cell, Mangaluru division, Manoj Sona, Mangaluru city police commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy CH, and Shivakumar Magada witnessed the hatchlings’ journey to the sea.A senior officer said that last season, 24 nesting sites were recorded, but numbers have dipped this year, possibly due to climate-related factors. However, the hatching success rate has remained encouraging at around 65–70% so far.Forest officials stressed that maintaining clean beaches is critical for successful nesting and hatching. Proper waste segregation at source is essential to prevent plastic from entering the sea, as many stormwater drains are currently clogged with plastic waste. Experts also highlighted the threat of ghost nets that endanger marine life. Turtle nesting is considered an indicator of a healthy marine ecosystem and is believed to contribute to improve the fish catch.
