Mesmerising bioluminescence spotted near Vasai jetty

In a rare and mesmerising sight the bioluminescence phenomenon was observed near Vasai jetty in the early hours of Monday Wildlife photographer Datta Pednekar who witnessed the spectacle captured it on his mobile phoneAt around 230 am on Monday I saw the stunning blue glow in the water near Vasai jetty It was an incredible sight and I recorded the phenomenon on my mobile phone camera Pednekar saidA rare bioluminescence phenomenon was observed near Vasaijetty early Monday morning Wildlife photographer Datta Pednekar captured the glowing blue waves at around 230 am The phenomenon occurs when phytoplanktons release a protein called luciferase triggering chemicalhellip pictwittercomO30qcwVfbLmdash Mid Day mid_day March 6 2025Bioluminescence occurs when microscopic marine organisms known as phytoplankton are disturbed by waves and emit a neon blue glow This natural phenomenon is triggered when a protein called luciferase is activated setting off a series of chemical reactions that result in the luminescent displayWhile bioluminescence is a rare occurrence along the Maharashtra coastline it has been spotted at various locations in the past including Juhu Madh Island and Devgad The glowing waves often compared to a surreal painting attract nature enthusiasts and photographers whenever they make an appearanceExperts suggest that environmental factors such as water temperature nutrient availability and ocean currents play a crucial role in the occurrence of bioluminescence While it is a breathtaking sight marine biologists continue to study its implications on marine ecosystems and whether factors like pollution or climate change are influencing its frequencyFor those hoping to witness this magical glow experts recommend visiting secluded coastal areas with minimal light pollution as bioluminescence is best observed in complete darknessOlive ridley turtle spotted on Juhu Beach but human disturbance forces retreatIn a rare sighting that has thrilled marine conservationists and nature lovers anolive ridleyturtle was spotted on Juhu Beach on Tuesday night However due to disturbances from onlookers the turtle returned to the sea without nestingAccording to Juhu Buzz an Instagram page covering local events this could be the first time an olive ridley turtle attempted to lay eggs on Juhu Beach ldquoThis would have been a significant event but due to a lack of awareness visitors disturbed the turtle Some even knocked on its shell Many people donrsquot realise that these turtles need space to lay eggs Greater awareness is crucial to ensuring their safetyrdquo the page stated The sighting was reported to wildlife conservationists including the Marine Life of Mumbai group which extensively documents Mumbairsquoscoastal biodiversityMarine Ecologist Shaunak Modi from the Coastal Conservation Foundation noted that olive ridley turtles were once common nesters in Mumbai until 1985 with a rare nesting reported in Versova in 2018 ldquoWe received a video at 9 pm from a Juhu Koliwada resident showing an olive ridley turtle on Juhu Beach The video showed the turtle retreating to the sea surrounded by people with flashlights Itrsquos likely the female abandoned nesting due to the disturbance However therersquos still a chance shemdashor another femalemdashmay return in the coming days Itrsquos our responsibility to provide a safe undisturbed habitat for themrdquo Modi explainedThe Maharashtra Forest Departmentrsquos Mangrove Cell has been alerted Divisional Forest Officer Deepak Khade confirmed that patrolling will be conducted on Juhu Beach at night ldquoWe received reports of the sighting and will deploy our staff along withMaharashtra Security ForceMSF guards If the turtle returns we will ensure it is not disturbed Anyone found interfering will face actionrdquo he warnedPast sightingsIn 2018 environmentalist Afroz Shah had reported olive ridley hatchlings at Versova Beach calling it a ldquohistoric moment after 20 yearsrdquoOlive ridleys in IndiaIndia is home to the worldrsquos largest nesting population of olive ridley turtles which are protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 According to the Marine Turtle Action Plan 202126 between 40000 to 11 million turtles nest annually on Indian beaches though nesting success is threatened by habitat degradation and predation Maharashtra has designated nesting sites across six beaches in Sindhudurg four in Raigad and 13 in Ratnagiri with nesting season running from November to MarchDid You KnowA female olive ridley lays 100150 eggs at a time with hatchlings emerging in 4555 days Sea turtles play a crucial role in marine ecosystems maintaining seagrass beds coral reefs and nutrient cycles Their decline threatens ocean health making conservation efforts vital