Overview
- From November 1 to May 31, sea fishing is barred within 20 km of the Dhamara, Devi and Rusikulya river mouths under OMFRA and the Wildlife Protection Act.
- Gahirmatha remains closed to sea fishing year-round as a designated marine sanctuary due to large turtle congregations.
- Enforcement involves forest, fisheries and marine police with Coast Guard support, using 61 on-shore and five off-shore camps, five high-speed boats and 13 trawlers.
- Officials say about 11,000 families are affected, with reports differing on one-time aid at either Rs 7,500 or Rs 15,000.
- The Odisha Traditional Fish Workers Union seeks Rs 30,000 per family, a shorter five-month closure, a 5 km restricted zone and broader eligibility, while local groups report trawlers operating at the Devi river mouth despite the ban.