By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, November 1, 2015 : Odisha government has imposed a seven-month fishing ban from Sunday along the coast where the endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles arrive every year during winter for arribada [mass nesting].

The fishing restrictions as per Odisha Marine Fishing Act (OMFA) will continue from November 1 to May 32 to protect the endangered species along Puri coast and Gahirmatha marine sanctuary. Trawlers and fishermen have been directed not to fish within 20 km from coastline in the turtle nesting sites.

The notification to this effect has prohibited use of motor boats and mechanised trawlers for fishing within five kilometer from the coast between Astarang and Baliharchandi in Puri district. Besides, fishing restriction has been imposed within 20km from Devi river mouth.

Puri divisional forest officer, Chittaranjan Mishra said, “We would organise camps for sensitising the fishermen. The fishing ban is imposed within 20 km from the mouth of Devi River and five km from the coast between Astarang and Baliharchandi in Puri. Action will be taken against the violators under Odisha Marine Fishing Act (OMFA).”

For this, on-shore camps at 13 places including Devi mouth, Devinasi, Daluakani, Chandrabhaga and Ramachandi have been set up for protection of the endangered sea turtles.
Besides, four temporary incubation centres have been set up at Devinasi, Jahania, Kanrpur, and Chandrabhaga for safety of eggs.

Similarly, 15 turtle protection camps, including three offshore camps, at Aagaranasi, Barunei and Babubali islands have been erected to protect turtles in Gahirmatha marine sanctuary.

The mass nesting is followed by another grand spectacle when millions of hatchlings emerge from the shallow sandy pits 45 days later and march into the sea.

Odisha coast is considered the only place apart from Costa Rica to witness mass nesting by Olive Ridleys. Around one million turtles are expected come to the coast this year for mass nesting.