29 January 2021.

Introduction:

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Prakash Javadekar has released Marine Mega Fauna Stranding Guidelines and the National Marine Turtle Action Plan in New Delhi. This is to create a conservation model for the marine mega fauna and marine turtles.

Highlights:

• The documents released contain ways and means to promote inter-sectoral action for conservation.
• These two documents highlight actions to be taken for handling stranded animals on shore, stranded or entangled animals in the sea or on a boat
• Includes management actions for improved coordination, reducing threats to marine species and their habitats, rehabilitation of degraded habitats.
• It enhances people’s participation, advance scientific research and exchange of information on marine mammals and marine turtles and their habitats.

 

Need for these guidelines and action plan:

• India has rich marine biodiversity along a vast coastline of over 7,500 km.
• This includes colorful fish, sharks, including Whale Sharks, turtles and big mammals like whales, dolphins and dugongs to bright corals 
  • The marine habitats not only harbour diverse species but also provide resources essential for human wellbeing.
• Millions of people depend on these resources ranging from maritime trade and transport, food, mineral resources, cultural traditions, spiritual values and inspiration that draws tourists from around the world.. 
• Managing such challenging situations requires coordination, action and people’s participation which would help in the long-term conservation of marine species and their habitats.

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Challenges faced by Marine Resources:

• The marine resources and habitats have immense economic, ecological and cultural values in India.
•  But, the marine mega fauna species and marine turtles face a wide variety of challenges.
• The challenges include stranding and entanglement.

Marine Turtles:

• Sea turtles or marine turtles are reptiles of the order- Testudines.
• The seven existing species of sea turtles are green sea turtle, loggerhead sea turtle, Kemp’s Sea turtle, olive ridley sea turtle, hawksbill sea turtle and leather back sea turtle.

Threats:

• Slaughtered for their eggs, meat, skin and shells.
• Suffer poaching and over exploitation.
• They face habitat destruction and accidental capture called as bycatch in fishing gear.
• Climate change has an impact on turtle nesting sites.
• It alters sand temperatures which the effects the sex of hatchlings.

Conservation Status:

• All 7 species of marine turtles are listed on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
• 3 are classified as critically endangered by IUCN and a further 3 are classified as endangered.