Rajnagar: A fishing ban has been enforced in the 1,437 square kilometer Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary, a crucial habitat for the rare Olive Ridley turtles, effective from Friday. The restrictions will apply within a 160-kilometer stretch from the Dhamra mouth to the Devi River mouth, lasting for seven months, from November 1 to May 31.
While a complete ban on trawling and fishing has been in place year-round within the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary, the Fisheries Department has intensified measures for the turtle season. This includes a ban on the movement of mechanized trawlers and boats up to 20 kilometers from the coast along the specified route. To bolster these efforts, two protective camps have been established at Bahubali and Agarnashi to safeguard the Olive Ridley turtles during their nesting season.
By the first week of November, additional turtle protection camps will be set up at 14 locations, including Ekkula, Satbhaya, Jaudia, Dobandhi, Ishaqpeta, Talang, Jatadhara, Belkud 1 and 2, Hawakhana, Ramtara, and Bandar. Each camp will be staffed with five personnel, while three staff members will be assigned to each of the other 14 turtle protection sites.
Furthermore, the Forest Department has announced the deployment of a section of the Anti-Poaching Force (AP Force) in Babubali and Aashiqpeta. To enhance protection for the Olive Ridley turtles, joint patrols will be conducted by the Forest Department, Coast Guard, Marine Police, and Fisheries Department. These efforts aim to combat threats posed by poachers and illegal fishing operations.
Olive Ridley turtles are known to travel hundreds of nautical miles to Gahirmatha for nesting. After breeding, they lay their eggs, which then hatch, before returning to their territories. Unfortunately, the turtles have faced increased mortality rates due to trawling activities in the area, prompting the Forest Department to maintain vigilant oversight to ensure their safety during this critical reproductive period.
