More than 400 endangered sea turtles have washed up along the east coast of India, near Chennai, marking the highest number of turtle deaths in over 20 years. Factors contributing to this phenomenon include a decline in nesting beaches and mass mortality from fishing nets. Normally, 100 to 200 turtle deaths are recorded annually, but this year has seen 200 fatalities in just two weeks. Conservationists are concerned about the low number of nesting sites, with only four nests found so far. Efforts are being made to raise awareness among fishermen and enforce regulations against harmful fishing practices. The brown sea turtle faces threats including habitat loss, pollution, and entanglement in nets. Despite a mass nesting event in Orissa involving over 500,000 turtles, only a small fraction survive to adulthood. Turtles play a crucial role in marine ecosystems, particularly in controlling jellyfish populations.
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