Olive Ridley Turtle Deaths: The NGT(National green Tribunal) is concerned about the high mortality rate of Olive Ridley turtles along the coasts of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, India.
TEDs as a Solution: The NGT advocates for the mandatory use of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) in fishing trawls to prevent turtles from being caught as bycatch. TEDs allow turtles to escape while allowing fishermen to keep their catch.
Mandatory Use: The NGT has mandated the use of TEDs, particularly during the turtle nesting season (November to April).
Enforcement Challenges: Implementation and enforcement of the TED mandate are hampered by a lack of TED availability, inadequate monitoring infrastructure, and insufficient manpower.
NGT’s Actions: The NGT has taken action by directing state governments to submit reports, questioning the lack of trawler inspections, and expressing concern over delays in finalizing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Key Challenges: Three key challenges hindering TED effectiveness are: difficult enforcement, limited TED availability, and a lack of awareness among fishermen about TEDs and their proper use.
Way Forward: The NGT has proposed stricter penalties for non-compliance, including withdrawing fuel subsidies and welfare benefits. Increased awareness campaigns and training programs for fishermen are also needed.
