Odisha Enforces Seven-Month Fishing Ban to Protect Olive Ridley Sea Turtles

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government has enforced a seven-month fishing ban for the next seven months in order to protect the Olive Ridley sea turtles.

The Fisheries Department has enforced the ban at three river mouth areas of the State.

The order will remain in force 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) and Rushikulya River Mouth (South of Prayagi to North of Aryapalli).

All forms of fishing activities have been strictly prohibited within a 20-kilometer radius from the coast as well as buffer zones close to the river mouths, the Department said.

No mechanised fishing or fishing using trawlers and motorised vehicles has been banned from Scotts Island to Udabati North at the Dhamara river mouth; from Keluni Muhan to New-Devi Nassi Island North at the mouth of Devi river; and from south of Prayagi to north of Aryapalli at the mouth of Rushikulya river mouth.

Patrolling will be intensified in the restricted areas during the ban period and the concerned Additional Fisheries Officer (Marine) will prepare a compliance report on the same.

The Fisheries Department has also appointed the Deputy Director (Marine)-cum-Adjudicating Officer of the Directorate of Fisheries as the nodal officer for monitoring the patrolling during the ban period.