New Delhi: In a bid to protect the vulnerable Olive Ridley turtles, the Operation Olivia 2018, a yearly initiative taken by Indian Coast Guard, will commence from November 1 and continue to May 31, 2019.

What is Operation Olivia?

These operations, which were launched to support the efforts of forest officials under provisions of the Marine Fishing Regulatory Act of Odisha, aim to prevent the death of Olive Ridley turtles along the cost due to illegal and unregulated fishing.

These fishermen often bunk using the turtle excluder device and opt for gill nets, which are detrimental for these turtles.

Operation Olivia has been undertaken since the past 20 years by the ICG.

Last year’s feats

Last year, during Operation Olivia 2017, the Eastern Seaboard, in a statement said that the Indian Coast Guard along with the marine police, forest and fisheries department spread awareness about the species and the importance of conserving it.

 Why Olive Ridley turtles?

 Olive Ridley turtles, which are also known as the Pacific Ridley sea turtle, has a unique nesting habit called arribadas.

 Arribadas means that female turtles will return to the same beach from where they hatched, to lay their eggs.

The Bay of Bengal is one of the most important breeding areas for Olive Ridleys in India and these turtles can be seen quite frequently in Tamil Nadu and Odisha beaches.