Kendrapara: The seven-month ban on fishing at Gahirmatha to protect endangered Olive Ridley turtles has brought forest officials and fishermen to a conflict.
Protesting against the ban, marine fishermen launched an agitation to safeguard their rights of those who have been fishing for generations. On the other hand, conservationists and forest officials observed that it was important to ban fishing to protect the turtles that lost their lives after being hit by the trawlers and boats.
“The ban has affected the livelihood of around 30,000 fishermen of the district and its nearby areas following the seven-month fishing ban from November 1 to May 31 on the 20-km stretch off the coast within the marine sanctuary,” a fisherman said.
It may be noted here that around 240 marine fishermen have been arrested in one month while more than 40 trawlers have been seized while fishing in Gahirmatha. This has left the fishermen in lurch who depend on fishing for livelihood.
“Many fishermen have taken loans to purchase the boats. Who will now pay the loan amount and who help us run the errands of our family,” another fisherman questioned.
While some fishermen were released after spending 10 to 12 days in jail custody, they are yet to get back their boats.
“I purchased a trawler by availing loan of Rs 10 lakh from a bank two years back. But forest officials seized my trawler while fishing in Gahirmatha. In the absence of other livelihood opportunities, the fishing nets and trawlers have been the only bread-winner for us,” fisherman Madhav Mandal said.
Like Madhav, the fate of thousands of marine fishermen in the district is now at stake.
“All the arrested fishermen were fishing in prohibited areas. The purpose of our operations is to combat illegal fishing activities within the sanctuary and protect the turtles,” Forest Range Officer Srirampada Arabinda Mishra said.
PNN