MARGAO: The recent discovery of three dead turtles washing up on Benaulim beach has caused concern among the fishing community in Goa. A group of local fishermen managed to remove the carcasses from the beach and gave them a proper burial. However, the cause of their death remains a mystery.
The fishing community believes that the death of the turtles is due to increased pollution and the heat wave witnessed in recent days on the coastline. According to them, the tar balls surfacing on the coastline are killing and poisoning the fish in the sea, and now, turtles are being found dead on the beaches. Benaulim-based Pele Fernandes said he and other fishermen from the coastal belt have rescued nearly 30 turtles and several dolphins in the last several years, but expressed dismay that they were unable to save these three turtles.
“It is very sad to see turtles landing up dead on the beach. This time we found three carcasses in the wee hours of the morning, and we managed to bury them,” said Pele. He added that the fishermen community takes great pride in helping injured turtles and returning them to the sea and is upset that these turtles are dying. The fishing community has demanded that the government take urgent action and investigate this issue. They believe that huge volumes of oil and waste being dumped in the ocean by cargo ships from neighbouring countries as well as oil rigs are the main culprits.
In addition, Pele has also appealed to the workers engaged in beach cleaning to start their work at least by 8 am instead of 10 am so that tourists visiting the beaches in the morning hours are not disturbed by the sight of the dirty beaches.
“It is high time that the government takes this matter seriously and takes necessary steps to prevent further damage to the marine ecosystem. The fishing community’s concern for the environment and marine life should not be ignored,” said a local fisherman. Sea turtles get exposed to oil when they surface for air, when younger turtles hide from predators in floating seaweed, or when older female turtles come to shore to lay eggs.
Oil and tar particles can cause burns and irritation to the turtles’ skin, or keep them from moving freely. Sea turtles ingest oil if they mistake tar balls for food and eat them. Oil can cause damage to their internal organs, and can even be carcinogenic to turtles.
