Goa's Turtles Get New Protection Measures

Goa's state coordination committee for turtle conservation recently convened to bolster sea turtle protection efforts, focusing on standard operating procedures mandated by the Supreme Court. A key decision was to enhance night patrolling along crucial turtle-nesting beaches, specifically between October and May. This increased vigilance aims to deter threats during the critical nesting season.

The committee also resolved to tackle the menace of ghost fishing nets, which pose a significant danger to marine life, including turtles. A drive will be launched to collect these discarded nets, which will then be recycled through authorized channels, with collection bins to be placed at fishing jetties.

Furthermore, the installation of turtle excluder devices (TEDs) in all trawl nets will be strictly enforced by the fisheries department. These devices are designed to allow turtles to escape fishing nets, significantly reducing accidental drownings. The meeting also acknowledged the vital contributions of conservation NGOs like ReefWatch Marine Conservation and TREE in monitoring nests and educating communities.

As per Supreme Court directives from April 2025, all coastal states are required to establish such committees and implement state-specific SOPs to address major causes of turtle mortality. This includes issues like trawling, entanglement, egg poaching, and habitat loss. Goa has developed and notified its specific SOPs following these national guidelines.