“Turtles are to fishermen what earthworms and snakes are to farmers,” says Prem Kumar, a 30-year-old Chennai-based NGO coordinator.

His words perfectly sum up the deep relationship Tamil Nadu’s coastal fishing communities have with the Olive Ridley turtles. During nesting season, the turtles represent much more than nature’s beauty—they embody a partnership between fishermen and the sea, woven through generations.

In a world where fishermen are often blamed for marine degradation, these words highlight a lesser-heard narrative of reverence, coexistence, and stewardship.

‘We don’t refer to turtles by their name’

In the eyes of many coastal communities, the Olive Ridley turtle is not merely a species in need of protection; it is a deity, a sign of prosperity, and a vital part of the marine ecosystem. At Urur Kuppam in Besant Nagar, 61-year-old Palayam, a fisherman since his teens and an ocean data collector with Science of the Seas, shares, “We don’t call the turtles by their name. We refer to them as ‘Kutty Amma Saami.’ If one gets caught in our nets, even if the catch is worth Rs 10,000, we tear the nets to set her free.”

Their reverence goes beyond simple respect. It is spiritual. When a turtle becomes entangled in their nets, fishermen perform a ritual called Pachai Poduthal, a sacred ceremony involving turmeric, vermilion, flowers, betel leaves, and five Ganesha idols, pleading with the turtle goddess not to return to their nets again. Rather than treating it as a loss, they see her visit as a blessing, believing it foretells a bountiful season ahead.

We are all on the same side

While modern narratives often pit conservationists and fishermen against each other, the reality on Chennai’s coast tells a different story. Over the last three decades,

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