Puri: All fishing activities have been banned in the sea in Odisha’s Puri district for ten days from Tuesday in view of the upcoming Navy Day celebrations.
Official sources said the authorities have imposed a ban on marine fishing from November 26 to December 5.
According to Puri marine fishery officer Ramesh Raul, around 5 per cent of the fishermen are now at sea and they have been instructed to return by the evening of Tuesday.
Other fishermen are being instructed not to venture into sea until December 5. Fishermen are being informed through Sagar Mitras and loudspeaker announcements, he said.
Officials said a total of 24 warships, 40 aircraft, helicopters and fighter jets will demonstrate Indian Navy’s maritime capabilities at Blue Flag beach in Puri on December 4.
President Droupadi Murmu, who is the Supreme Commander of Indian Armed Forces, will witness this event along with general public.
Meanwhile, fishermen are reported to be upset over the ten-day ban imposed on fishing saying it would severely impact their livelihood.
President of the Puri District Fishermen Union Babula Prasad Puri sea beach is home to over 50,000 fishermen who depend entirely on sea fishing for sustenance. The association submitted a memorandum with the district collector in this regard.
Puri Collector Sidharth Sankar Swain said the restriction has been imposed for the safety of the fishermen.
