Fisherfolk should use TEDs, save endangered turtles: Collector

Kakinada: District Collector Kartikeya Mishra has ordered officials to take necessary measures to protect the endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles that come to nest their eggs on the beaches of Hope Island in the city. Mishra toured Hope Island with officials of forestry and other departments on Friday.

Speaking on this occasion, Mishra informed that the Olive Ridley turtles visit the shores of the Hope Island to lay their eggs in the season between January and May every year. He also ordered the officials to take steps to stop poaching of these endangered animals.
Mishra told the officials to ban the entry of the fishing boats and yachts in the five-km area in which the turtles lay eggs. He further ordered the marine and police department that they should take action on the fishing boats which crosses these instructions.

The Collector instructed the officials to take measures to ensure fishing boats use the Turtle Excluder Device (TED) while they fish in the sea. “These TEDs would help the turtles to come out of the net when they were caught,” he said, suggesting the officials to create awareness among the local fisher community on these rare species in the six major sites on Hope Island, GK Pora, Moolapeta, Vakasanitippa, S Yanam and Kandikuppa in the coastal area in this district.

“We have released 1.76 lakh baby Olive Ridley turtles into the sea till date, will release more this year,” hopes the official.
Divisional Forest Officer (wildlife) Anantha Sankar, RDO Raghu Babu, Fisheries JD Koteswara Rao, Port Officer Dharmasasta and Assistant Commandant Gowtham (Marine) travelled in a tugboat to the island.