Bhubaneswar: To protect Olive Ridley during winter, Odisha forest department to impose a seven month (November 1 to May 31st 2016) fishing ban in coastal regions.
The Odisha forest department has decided to impose ban on fishing seven months along coast for protecting the endangered Olive Ridley Turtles. In November 1 to May 31st 2016 the ban will be in forced. These sea Turtles has been coming during winter for nesting.
Forest officials said that an Olive Ridley turtle comes every year in winter season for mass nesting in Rushikulya river mouth and Gahirmatha marine sanctuary.
According to the Odisha Marine Fishing Act i.e. OMFA the restriction has been imposed. Trawlers and fishermen have been intimated that should not fish within 20 km off the coastline in the turtle nesting sites.
Puri Divisional forest officer Chittaranjan Mishra added that trawlers mechanised and use of motor for fishing has been prohibited within 5 km from the coast between Baliharchandi and Astarang in Puri district.
He also said that the action will be taken against who violate rule under OMFA act and patrolling would be carried out surrounding the coastline area. In the month of November nearly half million Olive Ridley turtles arrive from Bay of Bengal.
These are all congregate in the shallow costal water of Bengal. After that all climb ashore for nesting between the months of December and March. Approximately state has three nesting sites they are Gahirmatha beach in Kendrapada district, Rushikulya river mouth in Ganjam and Devi river mouth in Puri district.
Among these the Gahirmatha turtle sanctuary is one of the world largest turtle nesting sites. Sources said that 13 places have established for giving security to the endangered species, on shore camps including Devi mouth, Chandrabhaga, Daluakani, Devinasi and Ramachandi.