Fishermen Violate Fishing Ban to Protect Olive ridleys at Devi River Mouth, 15 Detained

Bhubaneswar: Around 15 marine fishermen found to have violated the fishing ban near Devi river mouth were detained by forest officials on Saturday.

According to sources, they were fishing in the sea at the Astarang coast near the Devi river mouth. Two trawlers used by these fishermen were also reportedly seized.

To protect the Olive ridley turtles during their mating, mass nesting and egg-hatching time, fishing is restricted at coasts of Gahirmatha, Rushikulya river mouth and Devi river mouth from November 1 to May 31.

Now Olive ridley turtles have started arriving in the sea near these coasts for their annual mating season. According to sources, the area has been declared a no-entry zone since November 1 to protect the endangered Olive Ridley turtles during the mass nesting season.

A day back seven fishermen were arrested at the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary for illegal fishing in the restricted area. Their trawler was seized.

This fishing ban is imposed every year at the Olive ridley mass nesting coasts in accordance with Sections 2, 7, and 4 of the Orissa Marine Fishing Regulation Act (OMFRA), 1982, and provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.