Overview
- From November 1 to May 31, sea fishing is prohibited within 20 km of the Dhamara, Devi and Rusikulya river mouths under the state’s annual conservation plan.
- Gahirmatha remains a year-round no-fishing marine sanctuary due to its importance as an Olive Ridley habitat corridor.
- Enforcement involves forest, fisheries, marine police and coast guard units operating 61 on‑shore camps, five off‑shore camps, five high‑speed boats and 13 trawlers.
- Officials say the closure targets turtle deaths caused by net entanglement and trawler propellers during the breeding and nesting season.
- About 11,000 fishing families are eligible for a one-time Rs 7,500 assistance, while a fish workers’ union has sought a higher payout and a shorter, narrower restriction.