BHUBANESWAR: With mass nesting of Olive Ridley turtles fast approaching, a 7-month ban on fishing activity has been clamped from November 1 along the 20 km stretch of Dhamara-Rushikulya river mouth.Fishing by motorised vessels, trawlers and mechanised techniques will be banned within 20 km from the specified coast of the sea comprising sea turtle congregation area and their buffer zones in three river mouths of Dhamara, Devi and Rushikulya.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the high power committee for protection and conservation of Olive Ridley turtles held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi here on Tuesday. As the ban will affect livelihood of thousands of traditional marine fishermen, the Chief Secretary directed departments concerned not to harass small fishermen fishing without power boats. It was also decided to extend livelihood support to fishermen during the ban period under Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) project to make up for their loss.
The committee proposed to enhance the livelihood support assistance from `5000 to `7500 to each family. The meeting also resolved to cover more eligible fishermen during the current year who suffer because of the fishing ban.“Around 11.10 lakh Olive Ridleys visited Odisha coast to lay eggs in 2017-18. The sea turtle conservation and protection operation was carried out successfully because of better coordination mechanism among Coast Guard, Naval wing, DRDO, police, Port authorities, Fisheries, Forest and Environment departments and community-based organisations,” said Wildlife PCCF Sandeep Tripathy.
He said a central monitoring unit will be set up in his office. There will be circle level monitoring mechanisms under the direct supervision of Regional Conservator of Forests in Bhubaneswar, Berhampur and Baripada. They will coordinate with other law enforcing agencies and involve local NGOs in the activities.
Berthing places would be set up at Barunei, Gupti, Sasanapeta, Krushnapriyapur and Rajnagar for safe custody of seized vessels. There would be around 62 patrolling camp sites including 57 on-shore and five off-shore camps. Each camp would be provided with VHF communication devices, mobile phones and required camping materials.Soon after mass nesting, the rookeries will be fenced to protect the nests and eggs. Patrolling along with watch and ward activities would be further strengthened.
