Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has banned fishing by motorised vehicles, trawlers, and mechanised fishing techniques at the three-river mouth – Dhamara, Devi, and Rushikulya – for seven months from November 1 to protect the Olive Ridley turtles.
According to a notification issued by the Odisha Fisheries Department on Tuesday, the ban will be effective till May 31, 2024.
The notification read that 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. Trawlers, motorised vehicles, and mechanised fishing have been banned over a 20-km area from the sea coast where Olive Ridley turtles congregate to lay eggs annually.
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 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.
In addition, fishing is banned in the Gahirmatha area throughout the year and the Forest Department is entrusted with the task of implementing the conservation programme. The Forest Department has requested the Additional F.O. Marine, Kujang, to assist the former in joint patrolling the area whenever required.
