Gahirmatha: Fishing ban for Olive Ridley turtles nesting from today

Kendrapara : The seven-month long fishing ban in Odisha’s Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary, the world’s largest rookery of the endangered Olive Ridley turtles, has begun from today.

The fishing ban will be in force from November 1, 2019 till May 31, 2020.

Trawlers and boatmen have been directed not to fish within 20 km from the coastline in the sanctuary covering 68 km from Hukitola to Dhamara, said a senior forest official.

Officials said, lakhs of Olive Ridleys come to Gahirmatha coast from far off places for nesting every year. The turtles arrive in November for mating in the sea. Later, the female Olive Ridleys will lay eggs at Nasi-1 and 2 islands in March.

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