Applications of satellite derived meso-scale features and in-situ bycatch to understand sea turtle habitats along the Indian Coast

In this study, we used CC, SST and sea-surface height anomaly (SSHa) derived from spaceborne data to correlate the reported instances of sea turtle interactions in the tuna longline fishery for identification of areas with high risk of sea turtle bycatch. Maximum rates of turtle bycatch in the exploratory long line were observed along the Orissa coast in the Bay of Bengal. The pattern of seasonal variability in satellite derived SSHa, SST and CC and oceanic features was studied in the context with sea turtle incidental catches. Meso-scale oceanographic features within the geographic range covered by turtles were most intense in off Orissa/Andhra coast.