Low hatching rate at Agonda turtle nest spurs review

Canacona: Only 68 olive ridley hatchlings emerged from 145 eggs in the first protected nest of the season at Agonda beach, prompting the south marine range forest officer, Rajesh Naik, to seek expert assistance.

Officials and experienced rescuers were called to assess the low hatching rate. Marine biologist and ecologist Nester Brian Fernandes was initially asked to examine why the nest had not hatched even after 60 days, though the average incubation period for olive ridley turtles is around 50 days.


During inspection on the 60th day, active hatching and emergence were observed. Two hatchlings emerged during monitoring, followed by nearly 68 later that evening. Four emerged the next day, taking the total to 72 hatchlings from the clutch of 145 eggs.

Explaining the low emergence, Nester Brian Fernandes, who has over five years of experience working with sea turtles, said cooler climatic conditions may have delayed development and emergence. He added that not all eggs in a clutch are fertilised, making 100% success biologically unlikely, and that larger clutch sizes often show proportionally lower emergence rates. “It remains critical for protecting nests from high-risk threats. Furthermore, longer monitoring needs to be done to see if there’s any changes.”

From the veterinary side, Tanuj Mark and Dr Manohar Nagre from ReefWatch, Benaulim Veterinary Hospital, were also called to assess whether any intervention was required.

Those present at the site included RFO Rajesh V. Naik, Dadafir Mulla (rescuer), Ajay Pagi, Yesu Pagi, Sundipha (rescuer), and other members of the rescue team.