COX'S BAZAR, Mar 03: Turtles are floating dead frequently on the Cox's Bazar beach much to the concern of the oceanographers and environmentalists.
Carcasses of 95 turtles with eggs have been spotted in the coastal area of Cox's Bazar in the past two months from January 1 to February 27, shows data of the Bangladesh Oceanographic Research Institute (BORI).
It upon being the breeding season, female turtles of the Olive Ridley come to the shore to lay eggs and die after getting entangled with fishermen's nets, or being hit by their trawlers or in some other ways, said sources at the institute.
These 95 dead turtles were spotted in Sonadia, St Martin, Himchari, Pechar Dwip, Sonapara, Inani and Teknaf beach areas of Cox's Bazar.
It is known that turtles are called ecosystem engineers or ecological engineers for environmental reasons.
Turtles not only maintain their own living environment through their natural or behavioral engineering, but also create a suitable environment for other animals.
The environment in which they live is considered to be a fertile, biodiverse pristine environment.
Besides, sea turtles are considered as an essential part of a healthy ocean. They are also known as 'sea scrubbers'. They remove pollution by eating the rotten things of the sea.
Olive Ridley sea turtles during spawning get entangled in fishermen's nets or otherwise get injured on beach sands while laying eggs.
Environmental expert journalist Ahmed Gias said, "Many dead turtles are floating in the coastal area of Cox's Bazar with eggs in their stomachs. It is a threat to the environment and a matter of concern. Before this, four dolphins in succession, one after another, floated dead."
Why are these mammals dying repeatedly in the sea, where is its origin? , he questioned and said it is necessary to know the reason.
"No probe committee has been formed to investigate this significant incident. I demand formation of a high-level expert committee in this regard," added Ahmed Gias.
Senior Scientific Officer BORI Tariqul Islam said while coming to the coast to lay eggs, these turtles may die for receiving injuries in nets or in some other ways. Most of the turtles that washed ashore had nets around their necks and bodies.
Usually, a mother turtle weighing 30-35 kg lays about 110 eggs on average. In the initial observation, eggs were found in the stomach of almost all the dead turtles. Most of them are believed to be injured and die while coming to the beach to lay their eggs.
Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Cox's Bazar South Forest Division Sarwar Alam said these turtles can die in the sea by getting caught in the fishing nets of big trawlers or fishermen.
The dead turtles were said to have eggs in the stomach.
Frequent deaths of these animals in the coastal areas of Cox's Bazar have indeed become a cause of concern.
Director General of BORI Professor Dr Tauhida Rashid said concerned quarters are working to investigate the cause of frequent deaths of the marine animals by collecting samples.
tahjibulanam18@gmail.com