WSO favours fishing ban in Gahirmatha sanctuary

Bhubaneswar, Dec 12 (UNI) Wildlife Society of Orissa (WSO) today favoured a temporary ban on fishing inside the Gahirmatha sanctuary, saying the restriction will improve the fish catch in the area.

''Contrary to the popular belief that a fishing ban at Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary is destroying the livelihood of fishermen of Bhittarkanika and Mahanadi delta, such restrictions will rather lead to improved fish catch for everyone, '' WSO secretary Biswajit Mohanty remarked.

He said a marine sanctuary is kept free from fishing in order to augment fish populations, adding as per accepted modern fish management practice, a marine protected area is necessary to ensure breeding and survival of various fish species.

Since the boundaries of the marine sanctuary were open and not fenced in by nets, increased fish population would spill over to the surrounding areas leading to rich harvests.

Mr Mohanty said the Gahirmatha marine sanctuary, home to sea turtles, dolphins, sharks and other sea life, was considered as vital links in the marine eco system for the Orissa coast.

The WSO Secretary said while all fishing was banned in Gahirmatha for a stretch of 35 kms there has been no restrictions on country fishermen to fish anywhere else in the 482 kms of coastline of the state, including turtle congregation areas at Devi and Rushikulya river mouth.

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