Fishing nets and boats stay idle due to sea fishing ban. Telegraph picture

Paradip, Nov. 3: The state government has clamped a seven-month ban on sea fishing within the Gahirmatha marine sanctuary as part of its turtle conservation drive.

“The prohibition is being strictly enforced to ensure the turtles’ safety. The trawler operators have been cautioned not to venture into the prohibited water zone. Any act of trespassing would invite punitive measures,” said divisional officer of the Rajnagar mangrove wildlife forest Kedar Kumar Swain.

“Last year, the turtle protection squads had arrested 150 fishermen for defying the caution on sea fishing. Besides, 35 vessels and trawlers used for fishing in the prohibited sanctuary had also been seized,” Swain said.

The main aim of the annual measure that will remain effective from November 1 to May 31 is to ensure the safety of the endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles during their mating and breeding season.

“The ban has been clamped in accordance with Orissa Marine Fishing Regulation Act and provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act,” said deputy director of marine fisheries Pratap Ranjan Rout.

Over 1,000 mechanised boats, including trawlers and medium and small size motorized boats, that operate from Paradip fishery harbours and adjoining fishing jetties in Kendrapara are going to turn idle following the prohibition.

“It will be a tough time for fishermen, fish workers and vendors. Bereft of alternative income sources, the traditional sea-bound fishermen were left to fend for themselves,” said spokesman of the sea-going fishermen’s union Tushar Sardar.

“To make up the loss, the World Bank-funded integrated coastal zone management programme has been taken up alternate livelihood stakes projects for them. The programme is under way. We have planned to cover all the fishermen families under the alternate livelihood scheme to compensate the community’s monetary loss due to the prohibition,” said assistant officer of the Paradip fisheries Pradip Kumar Bhuyan.

Besides, the state government has also extended social security to the fishermen families. A total of 6,195 families of the coastal villages in Kendrapara and Paradip have received the Olive Ridley Conservation cards. With which they are entitled to Re 1-a-kg rice,” said Bhuyan.