Seven-month fishing ban at Gahirmatha marine sanctuary to protect Olive Ridley turtles

Kendrapara, Oct. 31 -- A seven-month-long fishing ban at the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary will come into effect from tomorrow and continue until May 31, 2026.

The restriction, extending up to 20 km off the Bay of Bengal coast, will be enforced by the Marine Fishery Department under the provisions of the Orissa Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1982, the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and the Orissa Marine Fishing Rules, 1983.

The objective is to ensure the safety of the endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles during their annual nesting season.

"We are going to create awareness among fishing communities in the coming days to seek their cooperation in protecting and conserving Olive Ridley sea turtles,"said Vardaraj Gaonkar, Divisional Forest Offi...