Odisha bans fishing to save turtles

To protect the endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles, the Odisha government has banned fishing along its coast for the next seven months. The ban came into force from Tuesday (November 1) and will be in force till May 31, 2017. Olive Ridley turtles arrive every year during winter for mass nesting along the Odisha seacoast. The state has 3 nesting sites — Gahirmatha beach in Kendrapada district, Devi river mouth in Puri district, and Rushikulya river mouth in Ganjam. The restriction is imposed as per the Odisha Marine Fishing Act, 1982, and Odisha Marine Fishing Rules, 1983. Use of motorboats and mechanised trawlers in 5km from the coast between Astarang and Baliharchandi in Puri is prohibited.