Bhubaneswar: To protect the Olive Ridley turtles during their breeding and mating season, the Odisha government has implemented a seven-month ban on sea fishing activities within a 20 km radius of the coast at the river mouths of Dhamara, Devi, and Rusikulya.
This prohibition, effective till May 31, 2024, aims to safeguard the annual migration of millions of Olive Ridley turtles who visit the sites from November to January for their mating rituals and to lay eggs.
“During this critical period, the use of mechanized and motorized boats for fishing will be strictly prohibited within a 10 km radius from both sides of Rushikulya river mouth and 20 km from the coast,” stated Subrat Patnaik, additional fishery officer (marine) of Ganjam. He further highlighted that the government would provide a one-time assistance of Rs 15,000 per family due to the fishing ban.
To ensure the enforcement of the ban, a comprehensive surveillance mechanism has been put in place, incorporating the participation of forest, fisheries, and marine police, along with coast guard personnel. A nodal officer has been designated to oversee the patrolling during the fishing ban for the conservation of sea turtles.
Additionally, the Fisheries department has planned educational outreach programs among the stakeholders, collaborating with the Forest and Marine Police Officials and potentially the Coast Guard, to raise awareness about the importance of adhering to the fishing prohibition.
Every year annually the coasts of Rusikulya, Gahirmatha in Odisha witness mass nesting often referred as ‘Arribada’. Gahirmatha coast, the largest congregation site for these endangered marine species, remains under a year-round fishing ban.
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