The State Government banned fishing along its coast for the next seven months with effect from Tuesday to protect and conserve the endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles.
The ban will be in force from November 1 this year to May 31 next year.
Olive Ridley turtles arrive every year during winter for mass nesting along the Odisha seacoast. The State has three nesting sites, Gahirmatha beach in Kendrapada district, Devi river mouth in Puri district and Rushikulya river mouth in Ganjam district.
The restriction has been imposed as per Odisha Marine Fishing Act (OMFA), 1982, and Odisha Marine Fishing Rules, 1983.
“Trawlers and fishermen have been directed not to fish within 20 km off the coastline in the turtle nesting sites. Forest guards have been deployed to arrest fishermen who enter the Gahirmatha marine sanctuary during the ban period,” said Gahirmatha sanctuary Forest Range Officer Subrat Patra.
Rajnagar mangrove (wildlife) forest divisional officer Bimal Prasanna Acharya said Bhitarkanika forest personnel have sought help from the Coast Guard, the Marine police and the fisheries department to step up surveillance at the Gahirmatha sanctuary.
Turtles usually arrive in November for mating in the seawater. later, the females lay eggs in March.