Ban On Sea Fishing To Protect Olive Ridley Sea Turtles

Bhubaneswar: With the Olive Ridley sea turtles’ breeding season approaching, Odisha government has imposed a ban on sea fishing activity to protect the endangered marine animals.

According to the sources, the fishing activities will not be allowed along 20-km stretch of Dhamra-Rushikulya river mouth within Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary from November 1.

This was decided in a meeting under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi on Tuesday.

As the ban would affect the traditional marine fishermen in the coastal districts, to make up the loss of livelihoods of them, the authorities decided to send recommendation to the government for hike of financial assistance amount from Rs 5,000 to Rs 7,500.

The restriction is imposed in accordance with provisions of Orissa Marine Fishing Regulation Act (OMFRA), 1982 and provisions of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

The trawlers will also be restricted from entering the prohibited water zone.

According to the official sources, disciplinary measures will be taken for any act of encroachment.