2-Month Fishing Ban Begins In East Coast, Fish Producers In Odisha Rue Restrictions

Fishermen will not able to catch fish in sea along Odisha coast for two months from now as the fisheries department has imposed a ban on the fishing activities in view of the breeding season.

The restrictions on fishing by all fishing vessels which came into force on April 15 will remain effective till June 14. The fisheries department has said the move is aimed at conserving and effective management of fishery resources and for safety reasons.  

“The President of India is pleased to impose a uniform ban on fishing by all fishing vessels in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) beyond territorial waters on the East Coast [including Andaman, & Nicobar Islands] and West Coast [including Lakshadweep Islands] as per period mentioned below for conservation and effective management of fishery resources and also for sea safety reasons,” read an order issued by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying. 

The ban will be effective in East Coast from April 15 to June 14, 2022 (61 days) while ban period in West Coast is from June 1 to July 31, 2022 (61 days).

During the ban period, all kinds of trawlers and mechanised boats beyond 8.5 meter long will not be allowed to enter the sea for fishing activities. 

However, traditional non-motorised units less than 8.5 meter long will be exempted from this uniform fishing ban imposed in the Indian EEZ beyond territorial waters.  

Trawler owners have expressed resentment over the exemption of the traditional boats and opined that the rule should be equal for all.  

“Now-a-days, fishermen with boats less than 8.5 meter long catch fish in more mechanised way. So the fishing ban rule will serve no purpose as many will still catch fish during the ban period while several others will not be able to do so,” said Arabinda Swain, general secretary of Odisha marine fish producers’ association.   

Speaking on the ban, a fisherman, Dharanidhar Behera said, “The government announced ban on fishing for two months from April 15. We are facing financial crisis to run our family. The government had taken documents from us assuring compensation, but we have received nothing for last three years.”

Additional marine fisheries officer, Paradip, Manoranjan Mohapatra said, “The ban on fishing in sea has been imposed for 61 days starting from April 15 to June 14, 2022. Only boats below 8.5 metre long will be allowed. All motorised boats will be restricted.”