A least 24 dead mother turtles washed ashore in Cox’s Bazar on Friday.
In the last one and a half months, 83 sea mother turtles washed ashore. Each of these dead turtles had eggs in their stomachs.
Bangladesh Oceanographic Research Institute (Bori) officials have buried the dead mother turtles after examining them.
Bori Senior Scientific Officer Md Tariqul Islam expressed concern over the incidents and said: "On Friday, 24 dead turtles were found from Himchhari to Teknaf on Cox's Bazar beach. From January to till date a total of 83 dead mother turtles washed away on the coast. Each of these turtles had eggs in its stomach.”
Referring to the investigation of the death of mother turtles one after another, he added: "Most of the turtles found dead had injury marks on their bodies. Fishermen's nets and ropes were also found tangled around the bodies of some dead turtle. ”
Tariqul Islam said: "During their research, a group of Bori scientists found data on deceased mother turtles and discovered that the breeding season for sea turtles was in progress. Unfortunately, while on their way to lay eggs in the sand dunes, they caught in fishermen’s nets and died."
So far, 9,108 eggs have been collected from 78 turtles in coordination with various NGOs, including Bori. These mother turtles have returned to the sea alive and healthy after laying eggs on the seashore.
Therefore, oceanographers believe there is no alternative to awareness in various ways, including fishing vessels and fishermen's movements in the sea.
