Odisha’s Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary enforces 7-month fishing ban to safeguard Olive Ridley turtles

The Odisha government has enforced a seven-month fishing ban in Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary to protect endangered Olive Ridley turtles during their mating and nesting season. Effective from November 1 to May 31, 2025, the ban restricts all fishing activities and the movement of mechanized trawlers and boats up to 20 kilometers offshore, covering areas from Dhamra to the Devi river mouths.

Additional restrictions apply to the Rushikulya, Dhamra, and Devi river mouths, providing safe spaces for the turtles that start arriving in November, with nesting beginning in March.

Rajnagar Divisional Forest Officer Sudarshan Gopinath stated, “We have imposed a strict seven-month ban on fishing and trawling in Gahirmatha to safeguard the Olive Ridley turtles.”

The Forest Department has set up protection camps and deployed marine police to monitor these conservation zones. These measures support the safe return and survival of thousands of turtles, a vital step in preserving marine biodiversity.