1,500 olive ridley eggs set to be incubated at Agonda, Galgibaga

Canacona: Two hatcheries have been set up to incubate around 1,500 olive ridley turtle eggs laid on Agonda beach last month, with more nesting expected next month.

Range forest officer of south marine range, Rajesh Naik, said recent trends show nesting mostly takes place in the month of Feb and favourable weather could bring many more turtles.


The first turtle arrived on Dec 11, 2025, at Agonda beach and laid 145 eggs.

The Agonda hatchery has 1,172 eggs in ten nests, while 421 eggs in four nests are in the Galgibaga nursery. The last turtle arrived at 2am on Jan 22.

Naik said turtles are also expected on other South Goa beaches, with eggs shifted to protected hatcheries at Agonda and Galgibaga. Last year, 19 nests were relocated from other beaches. This year, the first nest was shifted from Talpona beach on Thursday.

Dedicated patrolling staff safeguard eggs from predators at both hatcheries. The programme relies on experience, vigilance, coordination, and night patrols.