Odisha’s forest department has initiated its annual seven-month fishing ban from November 1 to May 31, 2027, to safeguard Olive Ridley turtles during their breeding and nesting season. This measure impacts fishing communities in the state’s extensive marine turtle nesting areas.
Key nesting sites include Gahirmatha beach and Rushikulya beach. The Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary, declared in 1997, prohibits fishing within 20 kilometers of its coastline to protect the turtles, which are vital to the region’s ecosystem. The forest department actively patrols these waters and mandates the use of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) on fishing trawlers to prevent turtle bycatch.
Source: Down To Earth