Chennai is set to launch its first dedicated marine protection team by the end of October, aiming to guard a 60‑km stretch of coastline from Muttukadu in the south to Ennore in the north. The new force will focus on stopping illegal trawling within five nautical miles of the shore—an area that’s legally protected as a safe breeding ground for marine life.
Why this matters. Every winter—between November and January—Olive Ridley sea turtles travel from the south of India to the Bay of Bengal to nest. While the biggest mass‑nesting events happen in Odisha, Chennai’s beaches are still a vital corridor for these turtles. In recent years, trawler nets have been a major threat, trapping and killing turtles and many juvenile fish.
The patrol unit will be equipped with three vessels: a fast interceptor craft and two 20‑seater boats that can detain violators and transport them to shore. A senior forest department official said the team will run 24/7 during the critical nesting season to keep a close eye on illegal fishing.
Tamil Nadu has a long history of turtle conservation, with volunteers and night‑patrolling teams saving thousands of eggs from predators and urban danger. Yet, adult turtles continue to drown in fishing nets. Last season, post‑mortem studies pointed to a sharp rise in turtle deaths due to trawling nets.
Conservationists hope the new marine force will turn the tide, enforce existing laws and protect the broader coastal ecosystem. “It’s about preserving an entire marine environment, not just individual turtles,” said a marine biologist involved in local monitoring.
Source: ianslive
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