Kendrapada: In a major initiative aimed at protecting marine wildlife, the state government will enforce a fishing ban lasting seven months in the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary and its surrounding waters, effective from November 1, 2026, until May 31, 2027. This measure is designed to ensure a secure environment for the endangered Olive Ridley turtles during their annual nesting period.
The Marine Fisheries Department will oversee the prohibition of fishing activities within the sanctuary and a 20 km radius into the Bay of Bengal off the Kendrapada coastline. This ban is being enacted in accordance with the Odisha Marine Fishing Regulation Act of 1982, the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972, and the Odisha Marine Fishing Rules of 1983, as stated by Varadaraj Gaonkar, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the Rajnagar Mangrove Forest and Wildlife Division.
To facilitate the successful implementation of this ban, the Forest Department will conduct awareness initiatives targeted at local fishing communities, encouraging their involvement in the conservation of the vulnerable species.
“We are going to launch awareness campaigns among fishing communities to secure their cooperation in protecting and conserving Olive Ridley turtles,” Gaonkar emphasized.
Gahirmatha is recognized as the largest nesting site for Olive Ridley sea turtles in the world, serving as a crucial breeding and nesting ground for the species. Each year, thousands of these turtles gather along the Odisha coast for the remarkable mass-nesting event known as ‘Arribada’. To ensure a tranquil nesting process, personnel from the Bhitarkanika Forest Division will collaborate closely with the Indian Coast Guard, Marine Police, and Fisheries Department.
Increased surveillance and patrols will be conducted to deter illegal fishing in the protected waters throughout the duration of the ban.
Additionally, conservationists have raised alarms regarding the nesting patterns of Olive Ridley turtles, noting that the species did not participate in the mass-nesting event at Gahirmatha last year, according to sources from the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary.
This seven-month fishing ban is anticipated to be vital in preserving the turtles and their nesting habitats, further bolstering Odisha’s commitment to protecting its diverse marine ecosystem.
