Protecting Olive Ridleys: Seven-month fishing ban comes into force in 3 river mouths of Odisha

The Odisha Fisheries department has enforced a seven-month fishing ban at three river mouth areas of the State for the next seven months in order to protect the Olive Ridley sea turtles.

The order came into force from today and will continue till May 31, 2024.

The river mouths where fishing has been banned are:

-Dhamara River Mouth (Scotts Island to Udabati Noth)

-Devi River Mouth (Keluni Muhan to New-Devi Nassi Island North)

-Rushikulya River Mouth (South of Prayagi to North of Aryapalli)

As per the government order, fishing by motorised vessels, trawlers and those using mechanised fishing techniques is prohibited in the area spreading 20 kilometres from the coast of the sea turtle congregation area and their buffer zones in the vicinity of the river mouths.

Apart from that, as the fishing ban in Gahirmatha Area is implemented round the year and the conservation programme is implemented through the Forest Department, the Additional F.O. Marine, Kujang has been requested to support the Forest Department as and when required for joint patrolling.

In order to enforce the prohibition on fishing, the department has also laid down some instructions to follow.

The restricted areas will be patrolled during the period and a compliance report will be prepared by the concerned Additional Fisheries Officer (Marine).

The department appointed the Deputy Director (Marine)-cum-Adjudicating Officer of the Directorate of Fisheries as the Nodal officer for monitoring the patrolling during the ban on fishing for conservation of Sea Turtle.

The department has also planned to conduct periodical awareness camps among the stakeholders involving the Forest and Marine Police Officials and if possible, Coast Guard will educate the fishermen regarding the ban.