Bhubaneswar, Apr 15: The Odisha government on Monday clamped a 61-day ban on fishing within territorial waters along the entire Coastline of Odisha with an immediate effect from today i.e. April 15.

The ban will be effective from April 15 and will remain effective till June 14, which counts 61 days in total.

The Directorate of Fisheries, Odisha, Cuttack had sent the letters to the coastal area regions for the conservation and effective management of fisheries resources and also for sea safety reasons.

The letter read, “In exercise of the powers conferred by Clause (a) of sub-section – (1) of Section 4 of the Orissa Marine Fishing Regulation Act-1982 (Odisha Act of 1982) and having regard to the matters specified in the Sub-Section (2) thereof, the State Government do hereby prohibit fishing within territorial waters along the entire Coastline of Odisha State by all the fishing vessels except traditional fishing crafts, with or without engine from April 15 to June 14 (both days inclusive, 61 days) for conservation and effective management of fisheries resources and also for sea safety reasons.”

All the fishing vessels with or without engines have been banned except traditional fishing crafts up to 8.5 meters, the letter added.