Ban on fishing by motorised boats in sea during mating and nesting season of Olive Ridley turtles has become a major worry for the marine fishermen living near Rushikulya rookery coast in Ganjam district of Odisha.
Fishermen here face two sessions of ban. First time span is from April 15 to June 15 for breeding season of fish near the coastline. The second period of ban on fishing by motorised boats is from November 1 to May 31. It is to protect Olive Ridleys that come over for mating in sea near the Ruhsikulya rookery and nest on the coast. The Rushikulya rookery coast is a major nesting site of these endangered marine turtles on Indian coastline.
Fishermen are aware of Olive Ridleys and for past several years are also involved in their protection during mating and nesting season. According to G. Adeya, a fisherman of Purunabandha, around 3,000 fishermen families of ten villages are affected by the ban. The worst-affected are those who do not own boats and work in others’ fishing boats. They get share from the fish catch and their wives earn a living by selling or processing their share. Due to the ban these boat-less fishermen get reduced share in catch which affects economy of their families, said M. Hadiamma, a woman from Gokharkuda, who is involved in trading of marine fish.
Fishermen say September to February is the peak season for marine fishing. But during this period they do not get good catch because of the ban. They are allowed to fish by their non-motorised boats, but fishermen allege they do not get any major catch from sea within two kms from coast, which is approachable by their traditional non-motorised boats. They also do not own large nets that can reach to greater depths to get better catch. Therefore, several fishermen of this region migrate in search of livelihood.
Reduced catch also affects production of Samudram, a cooperative of women of marine fishing community. This cooperative produces several value-added products from marine catch that are also marketed outside the State. B. Kamudi, from Nulia Nuagaon involved in marine fish processing as well as fish vending, said it is an irony that during the peak fishing season, we do not get ample catch to process as value-added products. Therefore, marine fish processing units in Ganjam district have to depend on catch procured from Balasore and adjoining Andhra Pradesh.
Mangaraj Panda, a social activist working with marine fishermen of Odisha, said this problem can be solved only if they are included in the process of planning of Olive Ridley turtle protection on the Odisha coast. “Their opinion and suggestions can help in protection of their livelihood along with protection of endangered marine turtles,” Mr Panda said.
