Odisha imposes fishing ban to protect nests of endagered turtles

The Odisha Government has imposed a seven-month fishing ban within 20 km from the river mouths of Dhamara, Devi andRusikulya in Gamjamdistrict for safeguard nests of endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles.

The ban prohibits motor boats, trawlers and mechanised fishing boats in the region.

The ban on the 20 km span of the Dhamra-Rushikulya river mouth has been imposed in accordance with Sections 2, 7 and 4 of the OrissaMarine Fishing Regulation Act, 1982.

As per Fisheries Department, prohibitory orders are being enforced every year to ensure the safety of turtles. However, the fishermen are unhappy over the ban as the ban is affecting their livelihood.

Olive Ridley Turtles:

• Scientific name: Lepidochelys olivacea 
• Also known as the Pacific ridley sea turtle
• Found in warm and tropical waters, primarily in the Pacific andIndian Oceans.
• Global population of annual nesting females of these turtles reduced to 852,550 by 2008.
• Considered endangered because of their few remaining nesting sites in the world.
• Largest breeding ground for these turtles: The Gahirmatha Beach in Kendrapara district of Odisha (India), now a part of the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary .
• Bhitarkanika Mangroves designated a Ramsar Wetland ofInternational Importance in 2002.
• World’s largest known rookery of Olive Ridley sea turtles.
• Two other mass nesting beaches on the mouth of riversRushikulya and Devi.