Olive Ridley Sea Turtles' Breeding Season Begins; Fishing Restricted For 7 Months

Paradip, Nov 1: Because of the breeding season of Olive-Ridley sea turtles starting today, authorities have restricted fishing and trawler operations in the sea off the coast from Dhamra mouth to Devi mouth for seven months.

According to the information, fishing, and trawler operations have been restricted in the total sea area of 1437 square km along the 160-km stretch of Odisha coast from Dhamra mouth to Devi River mouth. The restriction will be enforceable from today (November 1) to May 31.

As marked each year, Olive-Ridley sea turtles come from faraway places to Odisha coast to lay eggs. They return to the deep sea only after the eggs are hatched. The breeding process continues for seven months.

The Coast Guard, Marine Police, and Fisheries Department personnel will conduct combined patrolling in the sea to check illegal fishing. Anybody found violating the restrictions will be punished as per law, said authorities.