Operation Olivia Saves Record 6 Lakh Olive Ridley Turtles Amid Ongoing Fisher-Turtle Conflict

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG), under its annual mission Operation Olivia in Odisha, has successfully protected a record of over 6.98 lakh Olive Ridley turtles in a major boost to marine conservation. Olive-ridleys face serious threats across their migratory route, habitat and nesting beaches, due to human activities such as turtle-unfriendly fishing practices, development and exploitation of nesting beaches for ports and tourist centres.

"The Indian Coast Guard’s (ICG) annual mission ‘Operation Olivia’ helped protect a record of over 6.98 lakh Olive Ridley turtles nested at the Rushikulya river mouth in Odisha during February 2025," said the Ministry of Defence in a statement released on Monday.

Conducted annually from November to May, Operation Olivia is an important initiative of the ICG aimed at ensuring safe nesting grounds for Olive Ridley turtles, particularly at Gahirmatha Beach and surrounding coastal areas of Odisha, which see the arrival of over eight lakh turtles each year.

"The record mass nesting at the Rushikulya river mouth in Odisha stands as a testament to the ICG’s sustained efforts in safeguarding the endangered species through rigorous patrolling, aerial surveillance and community engagement," it added.

Since the inception of Operation Olivia, ICG has carried out over 5,387 surface patrol sorties and 1,768 aerial surveillance missions, significantly reducing threats such as illegal fishing and habitat disruption.

During this period, 366 boats involved in illegal fishing were detained. Apart from surveillance, ICG has actively worked with local fishing communities by promoting the use of Turtle Excluder Devices and partnering with NGOs through formal MoUs to support sustainable fishing practices and conservation education.

Fisher-Turtle Conflict

WWF-India highlights that despite international trade in Olive-ridley turtles and their products being banned, poaching continues extensively primarily for their meat, shell, leather, and eggs, which remain in high demand across coastal regions. However, the most critical threat to these turtles is accidental deaths caused by entanglement in trawl and gill nets, especially during their mating and nesting seasons, when they are most vulnerable near shorelines.

To address this, the Odisha government has mandated the use of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) in trawl nets. TEDs are specially designed nets that feature an escape hatch, enabling turtles to exit without disrupting the fish catch significantly. However, fishing communities have resisted this move, arguing that TEDs reduce their catch volume, impacting their livelihoods. This ongoing conflict between conservation efforts and fishing economics remains a significant challenge for marine wildlife protection in India.