Orissa bans fishing near turtle nesting sites
November 1st, 2011 - 2:11 pm ICT by IANSBhubaneswar, Nov 1 (IANS) Orissa Tuesday imposed a seven-month ban on fishing within 20 km of the coastline in three districts to protect endangered turtles who have started congregating in the sea for mating, an official said.
The ban has been imposed near the beaches of Gahirmatha, Rushikulya and Devi in the districts of Kendrapada, Ganjam and Puri where the turtles are expected to come for their annual nesting in December.
“Boats and trawlers will not be allowed to carry out any fishing activities in the sea near the nesting sites,” Divisional Forest Officer Manoj Mohapatra told IANS, adding the ban will remain in force till May 31.
Mohapatra said two-three dead turtles had washed ashore recently at Gahirmatha and Devi river mouth and this indicated that the turtles have started congregating in the sea.
He said patrolling has been intensified along the coast to strictly enforce the ban.
Over half a million Olive Ridley turtles arrive and congregate in the shallow coastal waters of the state in October-November for mating and nest between December and March. Most hatchlings emerge by May.
Most of the turtles nest every year at Gahirmatha located in the Bhitarkanika National Park. It is also known as one of the world’s largest turtle nesting sites.
Last year, the nesting commenced twice and a record 7.20 lakh turtles had nested at the beaches of the state.
Like tigers and elephants, Olive Ridley turtles are protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Trapping, killing or selling of the species could result in a maximum of seven years’ imprisonment.
Despite several conservation measures, thousands of turtles get killed every year mainly after being hit by boats and trawlers that operate illegally.
- As rare Olive Ridleys mate, Orissa mounts vigil - Dec 21, 2010
- Orissa bans fishing near turtle nesting sites - Nov 01, 2010
- 50,000 endangered turtles nest in Odisha's Rushikulya beach - Mar 01, 2012
- Olive Ridleys may delay mass nesting at Odisha beach - Feb 03, 2012
- Orissa sets up camps to protect nesting turtles - Oct 28, 2010
- 10 held for fishing near turtle nesting site - Jan 08, 2011
- 60 dead turtles wash up on Orissa beach - Nov 25, 2009
- Bhitarkanika bans tourist entry as crocodiles breed - May 15, 2012
- 170,000 Olive Ridley turtles lay eggs in Orissa's Gahirmatha - Mar 06, 2010
- Turtle helps save its namesake species - Jun 06, 2012
- Mexico says 42 mn turtles born in 2010-11 nesting season - Dec 22, 2011
- Wildlife institute to monitor Olive Ridley Turtles in Orissa - Jun 09, 2010
- Five arrested for fishing in marine sanctuary - Feb 21, 2010
- 1,654 crocodiles in Orissa park - Jan 16, 2011
- 1,000 endangered turtles found dead in Orissa beach - Jan 27, 2010
Tags: conservation measures, dead turtles, elephants, endangered turtles, forest officer, ganjam, half a million, hatchlings, imprisonment, lakh, nov 1, olive ridley, orissa, puri, ridley turtles, river mouth, shallow coastal waters, trapping, turtles, wildlife protection act