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If you are going to be at Kuredu Resort and Spa at the end of August, please allow us to invite you to accompany a member of the Olive Ridley Project on a little turtle adventure…

 

• 30 August 2017: Presentation about the Olive Ridley Project from one of their members

• 31 August 2017: Fun snorkel boat to Caves “Turtle Airport”, guided by a snorkel guide and Olive Ridley Project member. The boat will visit Caves plus another Snorkel site and costs $55 dollars and for each full paying guest the second person will receive 50% discount with the Summer Special Rate.

 

The Olive Ridley Project was founded by marine biologists in July 2013, set up in response to the numerous turtles being caught up and entangled in discarded fishing nets, known as ‘ghost nets’, in the Indian Ocean.

Prodivers interviewed Lisa Bauer, Resident Marine Biologist and Olive Ridley Project / Manta Trust Member:

Prodivers: In what state do you usually find entangled turtles?

Lisa: A lot of the turtles found entangled in nets can be found floating at the surface which is a positive thing as the turtles are close to the surface and are able to breathe. Most of the times the turtles are unharmed, but some are found having bad buoyancy, missing flippers or even dead. Those injured are then transported to the Naifaru Turtle Sanctuary where they are treated with medication for abrasions, cuts, cut off limbs or dehydration.

Prodivers: How do you free these entangled turtles from ghost nets?

Lisa: We free them by cutting the nets with either knives or with scissors which is the better option

Prodivers: What do you do with the nets afterwards?

Lisa: After freeing the turtle, we take a sample in order for us to determine the origin of these nets, then we burn them.

Prodivers: How many turtles have you saved?

Lisa: In partnership with Kuredu, Komandoo and Hurawalhi Prodivers, we have rescued 25 registered Olive Ridley Turtles in 2017 alone. 120 have been rescued all over the Maldives.

Prodivers also interviewed Founder and CEO of Olive Ridley Project, Martin Stelfox to find out more about the Olive Ridley Project:

Prodivers: What are the main objectives of the Olive Ridley Project?

Martin:

• To rehabilitate any harmed turtles
• To educate the public and to create awareness of the problem
• To enforce, develop and encourage recycling methods
• To research the genetics of Olive Ridleys and to determine their origin. The algae communities on ghost nets are also examined to determine how long the nets have been drifting and where they came from.
• Carry out surveys with fishermen.

Prodivers: Where do most of the ghost nets come from?

Martin: They mostly come from the eastern or western coast of India. We are actively trying to identify the fisheries they stem from.

Prodivers: Do you frequently hold these kinds of Presentations?

Martin: We often go to various resorts within the Maldives and also to schools located on local islands.

 

To find out more about this astounding organisation, visit:

To find out more about the presentation on 30th August please contact us by clicking the button below: