Dead turtles washed ashore in Sri Lankan beaches

 By A. Sampath M :  20^th June 2021

Sea turtles have been around for millions of years. Declines in sea turtle populations are a major concern and today all sea turtle species are globally protected[1].Under the schedule ii (section 30) of fauna and flora protection (amendment) act, no. 22 of 2009 Mammals and Reptiles that are Strictly Protected[2] . The sea turtles species have been included to in this scheduled.   There are  seven living sea turtle species recorded in the world[3], five species were reported in the coastal belt of Sri Lanka coming for nesting: Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas),Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea), Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), Loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea)[4]

^{Turtles' nesting beaches of Sri Lanka} 

Sea turtles suffer from poaching and over-exploitation as a result of slaughtered for their eggs, meat, skin, and shells. In addition to that habitat destruction, bycatch—in fishing gear, climate change (changes of sand temperature, affect the sex of hatching) have also been negatively impacted for the turtles.  Nearly all species of sea turtle are now classified as endangered, with three of the seven existing species being critically endangered[5]. In Sri Lanka context, Turtles in the Sri Lankan waters endangered as a result of egg collection, illegal hunting, and loss of nesting grounds, fisheries bycatch and marine debris[6].

The dead turtles’ bodies have washed ashore without any indications of the typical causes of death. Some death turtles’ species such as Olive Ridley turtle is listed as threatened species by IUCN.  Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Environment says that the cause of death of turtles is due to heat and chemicals poisoning from the X-Press pearl container ship. He further stated that there could be other reasons besides that and investigations are being carried out in this regard[7]

More than 70 turtles, many sea birds, eight dolphins and a juvenile Blue Whale have died so far[8].  Dr. Lalith Ekanayake, a marine turtle specialist and Chairman of the Bio Conservation Society of Sri Lanka, said that they believe only 10-15 per cent of dead turtles would wash onto the beaches^[9].

^{Locations of  dead turtles were found} 

A Singapore-flagged MV' x-press pearl cargo vessel, which was carrying 1,486 containers with 25 MT of Nitric Acid and several other chemicals and cosmetics and 278 MT of bunker oil and 50 MT of marine gas oil from the port of Hazira, India caught fire, initially on the 19th of May 2021[10], About 1,200 tonnes of plastic pellets and different particles scooped from seashores are being saved in 45 transport containers[11]. 

The Secretary of the Ministry of Wildlife Somarathna Vidanapathirana stated that the legal action will be taken against the operators of the X-Press Pearl, under the provisions of the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance[12]. Sri Lanka is seeking an interim damage claim of USD 40 million from the owners of the Singapore-flagged cargo ship[13]

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[1] Rajakaruna, R. S., Dissanayake, D. M. N. J., Ekanayake, E. L., & Ranawana, K. B. (2009). Sea turtle conservation in Sri Lanka: assessment of knowledge, attitude and prevalence of consumptive use of turtle products among coastal communities. Indian Ocean Turtle newsletter, 10, 1.

[2] FAUNA AND FLORA PROTECTION (AMENDMENT) ACT, No. 22 OF 2009 (https://www.srilankalaw.lk/YearWisePdf/2009/FAUNA_AND_FLORA_PROTECTION_(AMENDMENT)_ACT,_No._22_OF_2009.pdf)

[3] https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/sea-turtle

[4] Jayathilaka, R. A. M., Perera, H. A. C. C., & Haputhanthri, S. S. K. (2017). Marine Turtles of Sri Lanka; Status, Issues, Threats and Conservation Strategies. IOTC-2017-WPEB13-36 Rev_1 https://www. iotc. org/meetings/13th-working-party-ecosystems-andbycatch-wpeb13.

[5] https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/sea-turtle

[6] https://www.volunteerworld.com/en/volunteer-abroad/sea-turtle-sri-lanka

[7] https://enewstag.com/index.php/web/single/5626

[8] https://island.lk/x-press-pearl-disaster-more-70-turtles-sea-birds-dolphins-and-juvenile-blue-whale-found-dead-so-far/

[9] http://www.sundaytimes.lk/210620/news/these-majestic-creatures-do-not-deserve-such-horrific-deaths-446978.html

[10] https://www.shippingandfreightresource.com/alone-and-on-fire-x-press-pearl/

[11] https://newslogic.in/world-news/sri-lanka-ship-disaster-strikes-at-height-of-rare-turtles-mating-season-several-found-dead/

[12] https://www.newsfirst.lk/2021/06/14/more-than-30-dead-sea-turtles-washed-up-on-sl-shores-in-two-weeks/

[13] https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/sri-lanka-seeks-usd-40-million-from-cargo-ships-operator-as-interim-damage-claim/article34798250.ece