Conservation of sea turtles on the beach areas from Sonadia Island to Saint Martin’s Island in the Bay of Bengal in Bangladesh

Abstract

Five species of sea turtle are known to nest on the coastal beaches of Bangladesh: Loggerhead Sea Turtle Caretta caretta, Green Sea Turtle Chelonia mydas, Hawksbill Sea Turtle Eretmochelys imbricata, Olive Ridley Turtle Lepidochelys olivacea, and Leatherback Sea Turtle Dermochelys coriacea. Olive Ridleys are more common than Green Turtles, and the others are very rare. Sea turtle hatcheries were visited on the Bay of Bengal beaches running from Sonadia Island to the Saint Martin’s Island Beaches of Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh, from January to March 2022. During this period 22 hatcheries were found operating in the field, of which 11 were maintained by Marine Life Alliance, eight by NACOM (Nature Conservation Management) and two by CODEC (Community Development Centre); one was anonymous. Only Olive Ridley Turtles nesting was recorded during 2021–22. CODEC recorded 26 nests and collected 2,943 eggs for hatcheries, which released 1,612 healthy hatchings into the Bay of Bengal. The clutch size was 21–165 (average 103, n = 26), and the incubation period was 45–75 days (average 53 days, n = 1,612). The higher air temperature from March to May hastened the hatching process. NGOs are working on conservation aspects of the sea turtles, mostly by collecting eggs and releasing hatchlings into the Bay of Bengal. They have also prepared booklets and posters, hoisted banners, published papers, and organised seminars, rallies and workshops for education and awareness of the local people. These initiatives are encouraging, but it may be better if the efforts of NGOs to support sea turtle conservation were more integrated.