Dead turtles continue to wash up in Cox's Bazar

At least 70 dead sea turtles have washed ashore along the Cox's Bazar coastline over the past two months, raising serious marine life safety concerns. Most of the recovered turtles were found with eggs in their bodies, indicating they had come near the shore during the nesting season.

Visible injury marks were observed on many of the carcasses scattered along the sandy beaches.

Local fishermen attribute the deaths primarily to collisions with large fishing trawlers and commercial vessels, as well as suffocation after becoming entangled in fishing nets.

Fisherman Ahmed Kabir said that turtles often get trapped in nets, and in some cases, their flippers are severed to free the nets. "Severely weakened, they eventually drift ashore and die," he added.

Another fisherman, Monir Ahmed, claimed that more than a hundred dead turtles were seen floating in the sea in just the past week. "Most of them die after being trapped in large trawler nets and failing to resurface for air," he said.

Nabi Hossain, a local youth who has been working on turtle egg conservation in Sonarpara for the past four years, said he had to bury nearly 20 dead turtles in a single week. "Mother turtles are dying one after another while coming ashore to lay eggs," he lamented. He also warned that leaving carcasses exposed spreads foul odour and poses health risks to children.

Md Abdul Kaiyum, a researcher at Radiant Research and Education Center, said between 60 and 70 dead turtles have been recovered from the coast in the last two months. Turtles washed ashore in Sonadia Island, Cox's Bazar sea beach, Teknaf and Saint Martin's Island, among others.

Mr Kaiyum noted that over 200 dead turtles were recovered last year. According to him, entanglement in fishing nets and severe injuries from trawler strikes during the nesting season are the primary causes of death. "Strict law enforcement, mobile court drives, and increased awareness among fishermen are essential to curb the deaths," he said.

Khandaker Mahmud Pasha, deputy director of the Cox's Bazar office of the Department of Environment, said sea turtles play a crucial role in maintaining marine ecological balance. "Compared to 2024, turtle deaths in 2025 have nearly tripled, which is deeply alarming," he stated.

Research by the Bangladesh Oceanographic Research Institute also indicates a steady rise in turtle mortality each year.Bangladesh market trends

A conservation project is currently underway on Sonadia Island. Authorities have planned to establish multiple hatcheries in the 2026-27 fiscal year. At least two hatchery facilities will be set up in Dakshinpara, Paschimpara and Purbo Para areas to ensure safe incubation and hatching of turtle eggs. The process of appointing a dedicated guard is also underway.

Environmentalists and researchers emphasise that sea turtles are vital for marine biodiversity. They help control jellyfish populations and contribute to increased fish production, ultimately benefiting fishing communities in the long term.

Experts believe that coordinated initiatives, strict monitoring and enhanced public awareness are the only effective pathways to protecting these endangered marine species.

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