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PARADIP: Ban on fishing activities during the congregation period of Olive Ridley turtles has paralysed the livelihood of lakhs of fishermen in Jagatsinghpur district.
Fishery Department has promulgated Orissa Marine Fishing Regulation Act (OMFRA) from November to May on Orissa coast for conservation of turtles.
Sources said the fishermen were already in deep water as release of effluents from industries had led to a drastic fall in the fish catch. Now, the ban has added to their woes.
“There was a time we used to catch 20 to 30 quintals of fishes. Now the catch has come down to 25 kgs to 50 kgs,†rued a fisherman of Gopiakuda village, Abhiram Samal.
Many fishermen families are also facing starvation. While some fishermen have changed occupations and become daily labourers, others have urged the State Government to provide them alternative source of livelihood.
Meanwhile, the fish merchants are facing a hard time too. They have not been able to export fishes or prawns to foreign countries, even supply fishes to other states.
Assistant Director, Fishery (Marine) Department of Kujang B.C. Hembrab admitted that ban on fishing has lowered the catch, as a result, required quantity of fishes have not been supplied to other states and exported to foreign countries.
Low procurement has affected the revenue collection of the State exchequer, he added.
Meanwhile, Union Forest and Environment Department has notified the coast from Babubali to Paradip, Jatadhari to Devi river mouth and Chilika (Magurmukhi) to river Rushikulya as marine sanctuary zone and fishing activities have been prohibited under the Wildlife Act.
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