Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary Fishing Ban Ends: Fishermen Set to Resume Operations

Fishing Ban Lifted at Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary

Mahakalapara: The annual fishing ban at Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary in Kendrapara district concluded on Sunday, allowing local fishermen to return to the Bay of Bengal for their fishing activities.

This ban, which lasted for seven and a half months from November 1 of the previous year until June 15, was implemented to safeguard the mass nesting of Olive Ridley sea turtles during their breeding period.

With the turtles now back in their natural habitats, officials have lifted the restrictions. Approximately 10,000 fishermen from various panchayats, including Batighar, Kharinasi, and Ramanagar, rely on marine fishing for their livelihoods.

Before heading out to sea with their boats and nets on Saturday, many fishermen performed traditional boat worship rituals such as ‘Danga Manga Puja’.

Gahirmatha, covering an area of 1,435 square kilometers from the Mahanadi river mouth to the Dhamra river mouth, holds the title of India’s first marine sanctuary. While the seasonal fishing ban has been lifted, permanent restrictions remain in effect within the sanctuary's core area, which extends 20 kilometers from the coast into the sea. Entry into this zone is prohibited throughout the year, with a buffer zone established beyond the 20-kilometer mark.

To enforce these restrictions, the Forest department has installed 14 high-tech floating buoys to mark the boundaries. However, officials report that some trawler owners continue to illegally fish in protected areas, avoiding forest patrols.

Kapila Chandra Pradhan, the range officer of the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary, has issued a warning that any unauthorized access to restricted areas following the ban's lifting will result in legal consequences.