Olive Ridley turtles are increasingly nesting along the Tamil Nadu coastal delta, particularly in Mayiladuthurai and Nagapattinam districts. Data from the Forest Department reveal 48 nestings in Mayiladuthurai and 24 in Nagapattinam, totaling over 9,000 eggs collected this season. The nesting season started later than usual, with the first nestings reported on December 13 in Nagapattinam and December 31, 2025, in Mayiladuthurai due to rough sea conditions and waterlogged beaches.
Officials attribute the delayed nesting to challenging sea and beach conditions that hindered turtles from coming ashore. As sea conditions improve, nesting activities are expected to intensify in the upcoming weeks. February marks the peak nesting period, and authorities anticipate more turtles arriving with favorable tidal and weather conditions. In Mayiladuthurai, 5,750 eggs have been secured from 48 nests, while Nagapattinam has collected 3,574 eggs from 24 nests.
Despite moderate nesting activity in Nagapattinam, continuous rainfall has hampered monitoring efforts, leading to no significant rise in nest counts. Forest officials predict increased nesting activity over the weekend, coinciding with the new moon, as Olive Ridley turtles tend to nest in larger numbers during new and full moon phases. Nagapattinam operates nine hatcheries, while Mayiladuthurai has 11 hatcheries geo-tagging nesting sites for enhanced protection.
Alongside nesting, monitoring turtle mortality is crucial, with nine carcasses found in Nagapattinam and none in Mayiladuthurai. Fisheries and Forest Departments are conducting awareness programs in coastal villages to safeguard nesting sites and the delicate coastal ecosystem vital for the turtles’ survival.
