In a significant achievement for marine conservation, the Indian Coast Guard’s (ICG) annual initiative, Operation Olivia, has successfully protected over 6.98 lakh Olive Ridley turtles during their mass nesting at the Rushikulya river mouth in Odisha in February 2025.
Conducted each year from November to May, Operation Olivia plays a crucial role in safeguarding the endangered Olive Ridley turtles, particularly along Odisha’s coast, including Gahirmatha Beach — one of the world’s largest nesting grounds. These coastal stretches witness the arrival of more than eight lakh turtles annually.
This year’s record nesting at the Rushikulya river mouth is being hailed as a milestone, highlighting the effectiveness of the ICG’s sustained efforts. The operation involves round-the-clock patrolling, aerial surveillance, and close coordination with local stakeholders to protect the turtles during their breeding season.
Since the inception of the operation, the ICG has conducted over 5,387 surface patrol sorties and 1,768 aerial surveillance missions. These measures have led to a significant decline in threats such as illegal fishing and habitat disruption. Notably, 366 boats engaged in illegal fishing activities were detained, underscoring the ICG’s strong enforcement capabilities.
In addition to enforcement, the Coast Guard has actively collaborated with coastal communities, promoting the use of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) in fishing nets and signing Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with NGOs to support conservation education and sustainable fishing practices.
Officials said this integrated approach has played a pivotal role in creating a safer and more sustainable environment for Olive Ridley turtles, whose conservation is key to maintaining marine biodiversity along India’s eastern coast.
