Bhubaneswar, Nov 1: A fishing ban has been implemented in the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary, covering 1,437 square kilometers and home to the endangered Olive Ridley turtles, starting Friday. The restrictions will be enforced in a 160-kilometer stretch from the Dhamra mouth to the Devi River mouth, lasting for seven months, from November 1 to May 31.

There is a complete prohibition on trawling and fishing within the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary year-round. In light of the turtle nesting season, the Fisheries Department has also prohibited the movement of mechanized trawlers and boats up to 20 kilometers from the coast in the same area.

To protect the Olive Ridley turtles, two camps have been established at Bahubali and Agarnashi. By the first week of November, turtle protection camps will be set up at 14 locations, including Ekkula, Satbhaya, Jaudia, Dobandhi, Ishaqpeta, Talang, Jatadhara, Belkud 1 and 2, Hawakhana, Ramtara, and Bandar. Each camp will have five staff members, while three staff members will be assigned to each of the other 14 turtle protection camps.

Additionally, the Forest Department has announced that one section of the AP Force will be deployed at Babubali and Aashiqpeta. Joint patrols involving the Forest Department, Coast Guard, Marine Police, and Fisheries Department will take place to safeguard the Olive Ridley turtles from poachers and the fishing mafia while monitoring the movement of illegal trawlers.

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