Over 100 turtles die during nesting season on Cox’s Bazar coast

From Teknaf’s Sabrang to Nazirartek, the shores of Cox’s Bazar have witnessed an alarming number of Olive Ridley turtle deaths. A team of researchers from the Bangladesh Oceanographic Research Institute (BORI) has recovered 86 dead turtles over the past four days.

These turtles, which migrate to the sandy beaches for nesting during the breeding season, are washing ashore dead. In addition to the findings by researchers, locals have reported that another 40 dead turtles have been found along the coastal areas of Saint Martin’s Island, Sonadia, and Kutubdia.

A team of scientists from BORI conducted an on-site investigation along the 100-kilometer stretch from Sabrang to Nazirartek and confirmed the discovery of 86 dead turtles. Compared to last year, the mortality rate among nesting turtles has risen significantly, according to the researchers.

Mohammad Shimul Bhuiyan, a scientific officer at BORI, confirmed that all recovered turtles were Olive Ridley turtles. He noted that both male and female turtles were among the dead, with some having died just a day or two prior, while others had been deceased for a week or more. Samples have been collected for further investigation to determine the cause of death.

“The breeding season for sea turtles spans from November to March. During this time, female turtles come ashore to lay their eggs in the sand dunes. Many turtles get caught in fishing nets, collide with large vessels, or suffer fatal injuries,” said Bhuiyan.

Threats to Olive Ridley Turtles
The breeding grounds for Olive Ridley turtles stretch from Sonadia Island to Saint Martin’s Island. These turtles migrate thousands of miles to nest on these shores. However, due to habitat destruction and increasing obstacles along their migration routes, their numbers have been declining for the past two decades.

Nature Conservation Management (NACOM), an organization working on turtle conservation, conducted a survey in 2003, identifying 52 nesting points along the Cox’s Bazar coast. At that time, these sites were considered safe for turtles. However, the number has now decreased to 30–32 nesting sites.

Dr. Shafiqul Rahman, NACOM’s Deputy Project Director, stated that while the nesting season traditionally starts in November, it now extends into April or May. Female turtles come ashore at night, dig nests in the sand, and lay eggs before returning to the sea. After about 60–65 days, hatchlings emerge and make their way to the ocean.

To protect the nesting sites from predators like dogs and foxes, NACOM has implemented protective enclosures and patrols. However, unplanned tourism, infrastructure development, beach lighting, and discarded fishing nets continue to pose serious threats to the species.

Concerns from Experts
Former Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock and oceanographer Saeed Mahmud Belal Haider expressed concern over the increasing turtle deaths. He cited various human activities such as unregulated tourism, beach construction, deforestation, and artificial lighting as major factors disrupting the turtles’ nesting process. Additionally, discarded fishing nets, including "ghost nets," make the breeding grounds unsafe.

“Olive Ridley turtles instinctively return to their birthplace to lay eggs, overcoming all obstacles. However, human-induced threats are making their survival increasingly difficult,” Haider said.

For over two decades, the destruction of breeding grounds and increasing obstacles along migration routes have been causing significant turtle mortality. This year, the death toll has been particularly alarming, with over 100 turtles already reported dead.

The Importance of Olive Ridley Turtles in the Marine Ecosystem
Marine researcher Shimul Bhuiyan warned that the continued deaths of Olive Ridley turtles could disrupt the ocean’s ecosystem.

“These turtles provide shelter for small marine organisms like barnacles and crustaceans, helping them evade predators. They also feed on seagrass, algae, and jellyfish, maintaining ecological balance. Without them, jellyfish populations could increase, negatively impacting fish stocks and the livelihoods of fishermen,” Bhuiyan explained.

Additionally, when female turtles nest on beaches, they contribute essential nutrients to the sand and vegetation. The eggshells left behind act as natural fertilizers, stabilizing coastal dunes and preventing erosion.

“To maintain marine biodiversity, protecting the Olive Ridley turtle’s breeding grounds and raising awareness among fishermen is crucial,” Bhuiyan emphasized.