WCD, NARA should probe recent turtle deaths – TCP
The Turtle Conservation Project (TCP) yesterday warned that the authorities of the Wildlife Conservation Department (WCD) and the National Aquatic Research Authority (NARA) who are responsible for ocean living beings should immediately look into the reason for receiving carcasses of dead turtles on to the beach between Wellawatta and Galle Face in Colombo unless this situation will become worst in the coming months.
TCP Chairman Thushan Kapurusinghe told the Daily News that during the past few weeks nearly 20 carcasses of dead turtles were seen on the beach between Wellawatta and Galle Face and the responsible officials of both WCD and NARA should commence investigations into this matter.
He said TCP believes that a sudden explosion in the middle of the deep sea, especially 15 kilometres away from the beach would have been the cause for dying turtles in this manner and officials should conduct inquiries in this regard and try to avoid such happenings in the future.
Kapurusinghe further said turtles are commonly living in the deep sea and they come to the beach only at night to lay eggs.
He said authorities should warn even the owners of fishing trawlers with sophisticated equipment to be very careful when being engaged in fishing activities.
The TCP Chairman also said some fishing trawlers are in the habit of engaging in their activities using even explosives, illegal fishing nets such as bottom towing nets and this situation should be stopped immediately to protect turtles and also other ocean living beings such as dolphins and whales.
“As we are aware even a large number of foreign tourists currently visit the areas of Kosgoda, Bentota, Induruwa, Moragolla in Aluthgama, Tangalle and Bundala in the Southern coastal areas to watch turtles, dolphins and also whales,” he said.
He said considering all these facts it is the responsibility of officials to protect these valuable ocean living beings as these species are facing extinction.
The post WCD, NARA should probe recent turtle deaths – TCP appeared first on DailyNews.