Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Dec 27: The Olive Ridley turtle nesting season for the new year commenced in North Goa with the arrival of the first turtle at Morjim beach on December 26 night, forest department officials said.

According to a forest guard posted at the Morjim turtle hatchery, the female Olive Ridley reached the beach around 9.30 pm and laid 99 eggs before returning to the sea within 30 to 60 minutes. Soon after the turtle departed, forest department staff and volunteers carefully collected the eggs and shifted them to a fenced hatchery to ensure their safety.

“The eggs were laid on the open beach, but they were moved to the protected hatchery area to prevent damage. Last year, the first nesting was recorded on December 25. This year, there has been a delay of one day,” a forest volunteer said. He added that bright lights and loud music from beach shacks disturb the turtles, often delaying nesting activity. “Beaches like Agonda in South Goa are relatively quieter, which is why nesting there usually begins earlier,” he explained.

This season’s first Olive Ridley nesting in South Goa was recorded at Agonda beach on December 11, nearly 17 days earlier than last year. Traditionally, turtle nesting in Goa takes place between September and March.

Despite the slight delay at Morjim, forest officials are optimistic about the current season. “Olive Ridleys continue to arrive till March. Each nest has an incubation period of around 45 to 52 days, after which the hatchlings are released into the sea. Last year, Morjim recorded 206 nests, slightly lower than the 216 nests the previous year, mainly due to erratic weather and unseasonal rainfall in February and March. We are hopeful that the 2025–26 season will see improved numbers,” the volunteer said.

Olive Ridley nesting usually occurs at night during high tide, with only female turtles coming ashore. They dig flask-shaped nests about 30 to 55 cm deep and may nest multiple times in a season. After laying eggs and covering the nest with sand, the female leaves and does not return. The hatchlings emerge on their own and make their way to the sea.

While sporadic nesting is observed along Goa’s coastline, Morjim, Mandrem, Galgibaga and Agonda are the state’s officially protected turtle nesting beaches.