Bhubaneswar: In a move to ensure the safe and hassle-free breeding of sea fish, the State Government has clamped the two-month prohibition on marine fishing operation along the entire coast from today.
As per an order issued by the State Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Department, the prohibitory orders will remain in force till June 15.
The restriction is enforced under the Odisha Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1982, and covers the entire 484-kilometre coastline of the state. Around 21,000 fishing vessels, including 2,000 trawlers registered with the fisheries department, will be affected.
However, small mechanised and non-mechanised boats under 8.5 metres in length are allowed to operate, but only in territorial waters and for catching pelagic fish, it said.
The annual ban was enforced for the larger interest of those living on fishing activity. The restriction is imposed every year to allow breeding and multiplication of fish populations. It is aimed at greater interest for fishermen as it leads to larger yield, officials said.
the 60-day ban was enforced simultaneously in West Bengal, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh on the east coast, they said.
Fishing vessels carrying the crews have reappeared along seawater, marking the start of seasonal fishing trade. All the fishing vessels have now anchored at the jetties at Paradip, Chandbali and other parts of the coast.