Illegal Trawlers Operation Raises Concern Over Safety Of Olive Ridleys In Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The illegal operation of trawlers in the nesting season has raised concern over the safety of Olive Ridley turtles. Several turtles have been killed at Devi estuary in the Astaranga area of Puri.

According to sources, around 30 turtles have already died in the last one and half months due to various trawling and other fishing activities.

The state government has banned fishing by motorised vessels and trawlers within 20 km of the shore along Devi, Dhamra, and Rushikulya river mouths from November this year to May 2023.

The entire coastal stretch from Devi River mouth to Arakuda has been declared a no-fishing zone. However, trawlers and motor boats are still being used for fishing in the prohibited area causing harm to the Olive Ridleys congregated at the site for mating and mass nesting.

Meanwhile, a forest official alleged that poor participation of the Fisheries Department staff in the joint patrolling to prevent trawling operations and movement of motorised vessels in the prohibited zones is affecting the protection measures.

Wildlife conservationists also alleged that apart from poor patrolling and enforcement, the failure of the Fisheries Department in ensuring the use of Turtle Excluder Device (TED) to avoid the entanglement of sea turtles is endangering the lives of the turtles.

Besides, they also alleged that an adequate fine is not collected, though the Orissa Marine Fishing Regulation Act (OMFRA) has the provision of imposing fine five times the value of the fish seized in a trawler. Puri Wildlife DFO P Ramaswamy said they are taking the help of the Forest Department, marine police staff, and Coast Guard for effective patrolling.

Fisheries officials have also been requested to expedite patrolling and strengthen OMFRA regulations at a higher level to safeguard the congregation of Olive Ridleys at Devi Estuary where there has been no mass nesting of Olive Ridleys after 1997.