Overview

• Operation Olivia successfully safeguarded 6.98 lakh Olive Ridley turtles nesting at Odisha's Rushikulya river mouth during February 2025, marking a record achievement.
• The mission, conducted annually from November to May, focuses on protecting critical nesting sites like Gahirmatha Beach and surrounding coastal areas, which see over 800,000 turtles annually.
• Since its inception, the Indian Coast Guard has carried out 5,387 surface patrol sorties and 1,768 aerial missions, detaining 366 illegal fishing vessels to reduce threats to turtle habitats.
• The initiative actively engages local fishing communities, promoting the use of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) and partnering with NGOs through formal agreements to support sustainable fishing practices.
• This year's success underscores the effectiveness of coordinated conservation efforts, combining surveillance, enforcement, and grassroots collaboration to protect marine biodiversity.