Odisha Develops Mobile App to Protect Olive Ridley Turtles

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government has developed a mobile application to assist in the protection and conservation of rare Olive Ridley turtles in the State.

The app ‘Fisher Friend’, inaugurated today by Fisheries and Animal Resource Development Minister Arun Sahoo, will enable the fishermen in identifying a no-fishing zone and get an alert when they enter the prohibited area for fishing.

Recently, the Odisha Government has come up with an Action Plan for 2021-22 for the conservation and protection of the endangered species during the mass nesting period.

As per the Action Plan, a seven-month ban has been imposed on sea fishing activity within 20 km of the coast at the river mouths of Dhamara, Devi and Rusikulya between November 1, 2021-May 31, 2022.

In Odisha, over 14 lakh people are engaged in fishing activities. Hence, the mobile app will act as an effective tool in protecting species in the waters.
The newly developed mobile app will be very useful for the fishermen while they are in the sea. The app will alert them when they enter into the areas restricted for movement of Olive Ridley turtles.
Around 8 to 10 lakh Olive Ridley turtles visit Odisha coast every year for mass nesting, according to reports.