Ban on fishing in Gahirmatha: fishermen's life at stake

Kendrapada, Nov 07 (UNI) The ban on fishing at Gahirmatha sanctuary, as a measure to protect the Olive Ridleys' mass nesting, has left thousands of fishermen at Mahakalpada block without a livelihood.

The life of fishermen is at stake after the forest department had imposed a ban on fishing in the Gahirmatha Marine sanctuary from November 1 to June 31 next.

The ban had been imposed to protect the endangered Ridley's, who come to the Orissa coast for mass nesting and breeding.

The fishermen alleged that they were forced to reel under poverty and starvation in the name of protection of Olive Ridleys, protected under the Migratory Species Convention and Convention of International Trade on Wildlife Flora and Fauna.

Orissa Traditional Fish Worker's union president Narayan Haldar said the traditional fishermen were not responsible for the death of Olive Ridleys.

Rather the big trawlers illegally operating inside the protected sanctuary were responsible for the death of these sea turtles when they come in contact with the long fishing nets used for fishing, Haldar said.

He said the circumstances have compelled many fishermen to commit suicide and a few have lost their mental balance after the ban had been imposed.

Besides, the atrocities of the forest department on the poor fishermen, had added to the woes of the fishermen, he said.

Jayajagannath Fishermen Association Secretary Tusar Sardar said all their demands of providing financial assistance and a permanent source of living to the fishermen during the ban period has turned futile.

Officials said the government has enforced the ban order under the Orissa Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1982 and Orissa Marine Fishing Rules,1983, according to which, five kms of sea ward belt in offshore area from high tide line is exclusively reserved for traditional crafts and fishing by mechanised vessels is prohibited.

UNI XC DP PP/SRC1525