Sea Turtle

Sea Turtle : Recently, a landmark study published in Science Advances has raised serious concerns about the future of sea turtle populations.

• Major Findings from the Study: Over 50% of current sea turtle habitats may disappear by 2050 due to climate change-induced ocean warming.

o Sea turtles are moving toward cooler waters outside Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), exposing them to high-risk shipping zones.

o The study is based on 27,703 sea turtle sightings and over 1 billion ship locations.

o Rising Threats: New turtle habitats such as the North Sea, Mediterranean, East China Sea, and near the Galápagos Islands face heavy ship traffic, increasing the risk of vessel strikes.

o Shipping traffic is projected to grow by 1,200% by 2050, compounding the threat.

• Although the study is global in scope, it holds particular relevance for India, which is home to key turtle nesting beaches like Gahirmatha (Odisha), Chennai (Tamil Nadu), and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

o The olive ridley sea turtles, known for their mass nesting events (arribadas), are particularly vulnerable to shifting ocean currents and rising sea surface temperatures.