BHUBANESWAR: In a significant move to protect the endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles, the Odisha government has imposed a seven-month fishing ban in the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary, which spans 1,437 sq km within Bhitarkanika National Park.
Effective from November 1 to May 31, 2025, the ban aims to provide a safe environment for the turtles during their crucial mating and nesting season. The ban has been enforced in accordance with Sections 2, 4, and 7 of the Orissa Marine Fishing Regulation Act (OMFRA), 1982, and the provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
In addition to Gahirmatha, fishing restrictions have also been implemented at the Rushikulya, Dhamra, and Devi river mouths.
The prohibition will be strictly enforced, as it is each year, to prevent the large-scale deaths of turtles that often occur when they become entangled in fishing nets or struck by the propellers of fishing trawlers.
An official stated that the patrolling operation will be a multi-layered effort involving forest, fisheries, and marine police, along with coast guard personnel.
The ban prohibits all fishing activities and the movement of mechanised trawlers and boats within 20 kilometres of the coastline, from the Dhamra mouth to the Devi river mouth. This initiative ensures a disturbance-free habitat for the turtles as they begin arriving in November to mate, with nesting expected to commence by March.
Rajnagar Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) stated, “We have imposed a strict seven-month ban on fishing and trawling in Gahirmatha to safeguard the Olive Ridley turtles.”
The Forest Department has proactively established turtle protection camps and deployed marine police personnel to enforce the ban and monitor the conservation zones.
To ensure effective patrolling, 61 on-shore camps and five off-shore camps have been set up across four of the state’s wildlife divisions: Bhadrak, Rajnagar, Puri, and Berhampur.
Armed police constabulary forces will accompany the forest and fisheries patrolling teams. An official stated that five high-speed boats, 13 trawlers, and support boats have been deployed to intercept illegal marine fishing in restricted zones.
These measures are vital to support the safe arrival and nesting of thousands of Olive Ridley turtles, whose continued survival is essential for maintaining marine biodiversity.
Approximately 10,666 fishing families will be affected by the fishing ban. To help mitigate their loss of income, the state government has decided to provide a one-time livelihood assistance of Rs 7,500 to each affected family.
