Thousands of endangered olive ridley turtles have begun their annual mass mating season along the Odisha coast, particularly off Ganjam and at the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary. This mating phase, expected to continue until the end of January, precedes the egg-laying process which will occur later as temperatures rise. Fishing restrictions are in place to protect the turtles during this critical period, with ongoing efforts to track their migratory patterns post-nesting.