Dr. A. Murugan Suganthi Devadason Marine Research Institute 44-Beach Road, Tuticorin-628 001 Tamil Nadu, India Tel.: +91 461 2323007, 2336487 Fax: +91 461 2325692 E-mail: muruganrsa@sancharnet sancharnet.in INDIA 7th largest country in the world 2nd largest in Asia Area 3,287,263 sq.kms kms. Location 8 0 4 to 37 0 6 N lat; 68 0 7 to 97 0 25 E long. Coastline 7,516 kms. Sea Turtles along Indian coast 5 species occur along the coast of India. Olive Ridley Lepidochelys olivacea Green Turtle Chelonia mydas Hawksbill Eretmochelys imbricata Leatherback Dermochelys coriacea Loggerhead Caretta caretta Out of the 5 reported species 4 species nests along Indian coast. Loggerhead Caretta caretta reported but no known nesting beaches Olive Ridley is most common and numerous and well known for its arribadas arribadas or annual mass nestings. India has 3 mass nesting beaches. All 5 species are legally protected under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act (1972) and listed in Appendix I of Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu coast is known to be the dense nesting ground next to Gahirmatha coast in Orissa. Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh coast migratory pathways of Olive Ridleys for approaching mass nesting beaches in Orissa
Tamil Nadu 950 Kms coastline All 5 species have been reported. Olive Ridley nests sporadically along Tamil Nadu coast high along Nagapattinam and Chennai coasts Locations: Tranquebar Pazhayaru Mamallapuram Chennai Point Calimere Nagapattinam Kanyakumari Trichendur Nesting December- February also in April- June reported Tuticorin coast turtle meat trade Green turtle Chelonia mydas Weekly landing 3-5 turtles incidental catch in trawl and gill nets sometime illegally caught. Cost of meat Tirespuram-Rs.60.00 70.00 per kg (1.25-1.46 US$) Lions Town- Rs.60.00 per kg (1.25 US$) Mathakovil area Rs.90.00 120.00 (1.88-2.5 US$) cost varies depending upon the demand Mainly used for curing piles. Gulf of Mannar Tuticorin district Local names for the turtles Chelonia mydas - Green Turtle Peramai Lepidochelys olivacea -Olive ridley Sithamai Eretmochelys imbricata - Hawksbill turtle Azhungamai Dermochelys coriacea - Leatherback turtle Yezhuvarai or Thoniamai Caretta caretta - Loggerhead turtle - Perunthalaiamai Nesting in Tuticorin district Nesting observed in between Manapad and Periathalai Nesting season Oct Jan : also during Jun Jul (interview of fishermen) A decade ago near Alanthalai, kulasekarapattinam and Amalinagar - continuous poaching for eggs and meat nesting become rare in these areas Why they eat turtle meat? TastyTasty Cures Cures many body ailments Since Since the turtles travel to a long distance (migration) they must be having special adaptation to keep their body joints in good condition make a soup out of the joints will help Effective medicine for piles and diarrhea. Turtle Turtle blood is consumed raw and the person has to run to a certain distance for effective digestion. Turtle Turtle eggs are also consumed as raw and also in cooked state
In Gulf of Mannar area Thirukkai valai (a bottom net for skates and rays) plenty of turtles as bycatch In Nagapattinam coast north of Tamil Nadu Gill nets are widely used The entangles turtles were removed by cutting off their head or flippers. They don t consume meat as in Tuticorin coast But egg poaching is the major threat recent study indicated that 69 out of 72 nests were poached mainly by humans Turtle rescued: 23-24.07.2003 24.07.2003 Rescued Turtles Green turtles CCL(cm) CCW (cm) Wt. (kg) 1. 61 59 26 2. 76 71 51.5 3. 92.5 78 70 4. 98 79 83.5
Gulf of Mannar -located in Southeast coast in Tamilnadu state harbours marine biodiversity of global significance -falls within Indo-Malayan realm World s richest region from marine biodiversity perspective -Gulf of Mannar with about 3,600 species of fauna and flora considered as richest coastal regions of India -Declared as Marine Biosphere Reserve in 1989 first of its kind in South & Southeast Asia Gulf of Mannar -Comprise 21 islands ranging from 0.25 ha. to 1.30 ha. -560 Km 2 core area of coral islands & shallow marine habitat surrounded by a 10 Km. wide, 160 Km. long buffer zone -44 villages along GOMMBRE coast 100,000 people living -comprise 2 districts Ramanthapuram and Tuticorin -35,000 people directly dependent on GOMMBRE -dominated by lesser sardine, silver belly, sciaenid, mackeral, anchovy, thread bin, bream, holothurian, lobster, molluscs, prawns Threats.. Turtles migrating to Indian waters is on the decline. Incidental catch more along east coast than west coast Exploitation by human Habitat loss due to construction on the shore casuarina plantation Artificial illumination of the shore Predation Wild pigs, Jackals, feral dogs Beach Erosion Gulf of Mannar Management Managed by the Forest Department Separate Office Headed by Wildlife Warden Watch and Ward only in select islands Rangers and guards limited numbers Petrol Boats two boats Fuel restriction restrict mobility Lack of vehicle for movement of staff Legal issue long Coordination between district administration and wildlife office - lacking Solution Number of Petrol boats to be increased Man-power should be increased More powers to the guardians Creating awareness among the people Strict enforcement of regulations Legal proceedings to be speeded up
Manapad Alanthalai Periathalai Economic condition in Manapad Turtle carapace