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Orissa bans fishing in coastal areas for seven months by Hemant Kumar Rout

Orissa government has imposed a seven-month ban on fishing for the nesting and breeding season of Olive Ridley turtles. This will affect the livelihood of at least three lakh fishermen across the state. Fish eaters will have to pay more for sea fishes or will have to satisfy themselves with sweet water fishes. The ban will be in force along 120 km sea coast in six districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Puri and Ganjam till May 31 next year.

"The ban has been clamped in a bid to curb high mortality of the marine species. There will be no fishing by boats within 5 km radius, by motorboats within 10 km radius and by trawlers within 20 km radius," said an official at the state fisheries department.

"During this period the turtles nest, breed, lay their and hatch eggs. If the boats, motorboats and trawlers are allowed to venture into the sea, it will affect their congregation, movement and their breeding process. After all the high speed trawlers have been a major cause of death for the rare species," said the official.

Meanwhile, the clampdown has created a stir in the fish markets and caused resentment among fishermen. Narendra Bihari Das, president of Balasore trawler owners association, said the directive would hit consumers as well. "In the city, consumers are choosy. It would be better if the government implements the order in phases," he said.

He felt the government should be more cautious before issuing such orders. "It does not specify how fishermen will maintain their livelihood," he alleged.

Marine fishermen feel that the conservation of endangered Ridleys was of paramount importance, but it should not be at the cost of livelihood of lakhs of fishermen, who cause no harm to these species. Most traditional fishermen belong to lower socio-economic background, so they use mechanized boats whose capacity is quite low.

"It's fashionable these days to talk about environment and wildlife conservation and so, those who speak for the turtles are hailed by international community and NGOs, which, having their own environment and wildlife, preach to third world countries," the fishermen decried.

In view of drop in marine fish catch and subsequent loss of job, the traditional marine fishermen have urged the government to provide them with temporary permits for fishing or find out an alternative till the ban is lifted.