Two-month fishing ban comes into force along Odisha coast 

In order to conserve the fish stock in the sea during the breeding season, a 61-day-long ban on fishing has been imposed in sea and estuaries along the eastern coast of the nation including the Odisha coast, starting Friday. The ban will be in force starting from April 15 to June 14. 

Monsoon is the breeding season of various varieties of fish. The ban on fishing during the Monsoon was first imposed in 1998. The ban is imposed on fishing in the sea to conserve the fish population. During the ban, all mechanised boats are not allowed to venture into the sea. However, small, non-mechanised boats that are less than 8.5 metres long with nets having big gaps are exempted from the ban. 

Informing about the ban, Paradip Marine Fisheries Officer Bijay Kumar Kar said, “Every year, the ban is imposed for 61 days from April 15 to June 14. The ban is necessary because due to rampant fishing, the fish resources get depleted. This ban helps conserve mother and young fish and increase the fisheries resources.”

The ban has been welcomed by the fisheries community. However, many fishermen were of the opinion that there should be a blanket ban on fishing by both mechanised and non-mechanised boats. 

“At a time when our business is hitting rough weather, the ban has undoubtedly come as a huge blow to us. Yet, we welcome the step taken by the government because the ban will increase fisheries resources. It is good for us. It is we who will catch them and earn a better living,” said Purandar Biswal, a marine fisherman of Paradip.

“But the restriction is meaningless unless it is a complete ban on both the mechanised and non-mechanised boats. There has been a relaxation on non-mechanised boats that are less than 8.5 metres. But there is hardly any traditional and non-mechanised boat. All the boats are now fitted with engines. So, there should be a blanket ban on fishing by boats and trawlers,” he observed.