The study emphasises that deaths of sea turtles are caused by both natural disasters and human-caused activities. The research emphasises the need for focused mitigating actions by differentiating these sources. Sea turtle mortality can be considerably decreased by implementing temporal and spatial restrictions based on hotspots and peak stranding seasons that have been identified. The monsoon season (June to August) coincides with the peak stranding season, which is marked by increased fishing activity and choppy seas.

Olive Ridley turtles were the most frequently stranded species, with 360 instances, indicating a significant impact from incidental catch. Green sea turtles followed with 127 instances. Non-nesting species like Hawksbill (16 instances), Loggerhead (five instances), and Leatherback (three instances) were also noted, indicating their rarity along the Maharashtra coast.

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A higher percentage of females among stranded turtles suggest many strandings occur during or after nesting periods. The successful release of 54.8 per cent of the turtles is a testament to the efforts of the Dahanu forest department staff, local NGOs, volunteers, and the local community.

The study identified several hotspots, with the highest number of stranding reports from Chikhale, Nivati, Chinchani, Juhu, Vengurla, and Dhakti, followed by Khavane, Bordi, and Dandi on the west coast of Maharashtra. The research also drew attention to the significant threat to turtles from being unintentionally caught in various fishing nets, including Dol nets, hook and lines, gillnets, bag nets, Rampani nets, and ghost nets.

"Our study provides a comprehensive overview of sea turtle mortality along the Maharashtra coast, emphasizing the need for strategic conservation actions," said lead author Prachi Hatkar. "By identifying hotspots and understanding seasonal patterns, we can implement effective measures to protect these endangered species," she said.

Sea turtles play a crucial role in ocean ecosystems. They maintain the health of seagrass beds and coral reefs, facilitate nutrient cycling, and provide habitat for other marine life. As sea turtle populations decline, their ability to perform these roles diminishes, impacting the health of the oceans. Sea turtle populations is essential for sustaining healthy marine ecosystems.

This research marks a step forward in conserving sea turtles and highlights the urgent need to mitigate their threats. The successful release of 54.8 per cent of turtles is a testament to the hard work and dedication of Dahanu forest department staff, local NGO, volunteers, and the local community's support.