NAGAPATTINAM: Letting about a thousand endangered Olive Ridley turtle hatchlings into the sea in Samandhampettai, Nagapattinam, on Sunday, Collector S Palanisami said about 3,800 of the turtle broods from artificial hatcheries in various parts of the district have been let into the sea so far in this season.
As the period from November to March is the breeding season for the turtles, the mother turtles will move towards the shores and lay eggs along the shores, within three nautical miles.
As the coastline between Vaanagiri and Kodiakkarai coastal region witnesses the most number of eggs, district forest authorities have set up seven artificial hatcheries in Samandhampettai, Kameswaram, Vaanagiri, Koozhaiyar, Vizhundhamavadi, Kodiakkarai and Kottagaimedu. Each of the hatcheries would cover up to 10 km of coastal area and two staff were involved in collecting the eggs and preventing poaching.
Addressing the media, the Collector said, “Being an endangered species and also a key factor for increasing the marine resources in the sea, it is essential to conserve Olive Ridley turtles.
“We have been working towards safeguarding the eggs from November to March at the artificial hatcheries. Close to 4,000 eggs have been collected this season and kept at the seven hatcheries. After a period of 45 days, the hatchlings at various hatcheries are let into the sea,” the Collector said.