Olive Ridley Turtle Protection: Seven-Month Fishing Ban Comes Into Force In Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Fishing activities and the movement of mechanised boats have been prohibited in designated coastal stretches of Odisha for seven months, from November 1, 2026, to May 31, 2027, as part of measures to protect the endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles during their annual breeding and nesting season.

The restrictions apply to specified areas along the coast near the mouths of the Rushikulya, Dhamra and Devi rivers, which are important arrival, mating and nesting grounds for these rare marine turtles.

The Odisha government has imposed the seasonal ban to minimise disturbances to the turtles as they migrate to the state's coastline for mating and mass nesting.

Fishing operations and the movement of mechanised fishing boats will remain prohibited within the notified restricted zones throughout the period.

Purandar Biswal, president of the Paradip Marine Cooperative Society, said fishermen were complying with the government regulations to ensure the safety of the turtles.

“From November 1 to May 31, the Odisha government has imposed a fishing ban within 20 km of the coastline.

Olive Ridley turtles travel all the way from the Pacific Ocean across the Bay of Bengal to reach Odisha's coast and lay their eggs near the river mouths.

We fishermen are following the government regulations introduced to protect these turtles.

As instructed, we venture beyond 20 km from the coast to carry out fishing activities,” he said.

However, fishermen can continue their operations in deeper waters beyond the 20-km coastal restriction, allowing them to pursue their livelihood while ensuring the protection of the marine species during its crucial breeding and nesting period.

The seasonal restrictions are particularly significant for Odisha, which is among the world's major mass-nesting destinations for Olive Ridley turtles.