Turtle deaths: TN withdraws subsidy for 100 Chennai fishermen

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu fisheries department has withdrawn subsidies for 100 fishermen based in Chennai for violating the fishing ban within five nautical miles of the shoreline.

The decision comes in response to the death of more than 1,000 Olive Ridley Sea turtles along the Chennai coastline during the last week of Jan.

The spike in turtle deaths coincided with the annual nesting season, resulting in wildlife authorities reporting a drastic decline in nesting activity. Officials were able to identify only 24 nests for the month, compared to significantly higher numbers in previous years. The subsidy withdrawal is seen as a measure to deter illegal fishing and protect the fragile marine ecosystem.

C V R Raghu Sekar, a trawler owner in Kasimedu Fishing Harbour, however, criticised the department’s decision, calling it hasty and unfair. He said that fishermen in Chennai respect and revere sea turtles. “We worship them and would never harm them. If turtles get caught in our nets, the damage is to our equipment, which costs thousands of rupees to repair,” he said.

Sekar also pointed to pollution as a possible cause for the turtle deaths, alleging that untreated wastewater from fish export units has severely impacted the marine ecosystem. He accused the department of targeting trawler owners while failing to hold polluters accountable. Several fishermen were arrested under non-bailable charges, which Sekar condemned as unjust.

Another trawler owner defended the fishing community, stating that they were not using any new fishing gear that could endanger marine life. He emphasized that no proper necropsy was conducted to ascertain the cause of the turtle deaths, leading to unfair blame on the fishermen.

Meanwhile, turtle conservationists reported that dead sea turtles continued to wash ashore along the Chennai coast. On an average, they said, around half a dozen carcasses are spotted daily. The crisis has sparked debates over the impact of fishing practices and pollution on marine life.