Bhubaneswar: In a heartening act of marine rescue, the crew of Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Ship Vigraha successfully freed two endangered Olive Ridley turtles entangled in nearly 600 kilograms of ghost nets in the sea, officials confirmed on Friday.
The rescue is part of the ongoing efforts under ‘Operation Olivia’, the ICG’s annual initiative aimed at protecting the Olive Ridley turtles during their breeding and mass nesting season along the Odisha coast, which spans from February to March.
@IndiaCoastGuard Ship Vigraha saved two #OliveRidley turtles an #Endangered species under the #IndianWildlifeProtection Act-1972, entangled in nearly 600 kg of ghost nets. Our Maritime guardians are committed towards safeguarding marine biodiversity. #WeProtect #OpOlivia… pic.twitter.com/e6t6sF1uUb
— Indian Coast Guard (@IndiaCoastGuard) April 18, 2025
Ghost nets—abandoned or lost fishing nets drifting in the ocean—pose a serious threat to marine life, especially to species like the Olive Ridley turtle that are already listed as vulnerable under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Since its inception in 1991, Operation Olivia has been instrumental in coordinating with central and state agencies to safeguard these delicate marine species. The ICG continues to conduct aerial surveillance, deploy ships, and work closely with forest and fisheries departments to ensure safe nesting grounds.
This year’s nesting season has shown encouraging numbers, especially at Rushikulya, one of the key mass nesting sites. Officials reported 6,126 nests resulting in the laying of 5,51,238 eggs. Meanwhile, sporadic nesting was also observed at the Devi River mouth to Astaranga, with 60 nests and 5,400 eggs.
The recent rescue serves as a reminder of the threats Olive Ridleys face at sea and the crucial role of sustained protection efforts in ensuring their survival.
