Fishing Resumes in Kendrapara as Ban Lifts, Coastal Villages Buzz with Activity

Kendrapara : After more than six months of restrictions, the coastal belt of Kendrapara district has come alive with renewed fishing activity, as marine fishermen returned to the sea following the lifting of the seasonal fishing ban.

The ban, enforced within a 20-kilometre radius of the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary, was lifted recently, allowing trawler and mechanized boat owners to resume operations. The Odisha Marine Fisheries Department had imposed the restriction from November 1, 2024, to May 30, 2025, under the Orissa Marine Fishing Regulation Act (OMFRA), 1982. A second ban was in place from April 15 to June 14, 2025, under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, the OMFRA, and the Orissa Marine Fishing Rules, 1983.

These bans were aimed at protecting the endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles, which nest in large numbers along the Gahirmatha coast. Authorities highlighted the need for conservation, noting that the use of fine-mesh fishing nets by trawlers can harm juvenile fish and disrupt the breeding cycle.

With the fishing season now open, coastal communities observed traditional rituals before setting sail. Fishermen performed puja ceremonies to worship their vessels and offered prayers to the sea god, Baruna, seeking a safe and prosperous fishing season.

“More than 25 to 30 boats went out on the first day,” said Tushar Sardar, an official of the Maa Ramchandi Boat Owners’ Association in Kharanashi.

The Marine Fisheries Department has instructed all fishermen to carry valid registration certificates, licences, and biometric marine fishery identity cards while venturing out to sea. Authorities also reiterated that while general waters are now open, fishing within the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary remains strictly prohibited.

Kapilendra Pradhan, Ranger of the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary, issued a stern warning: “Any act of trespassing and fishing within the sanctuary will invite strict action. Forest personnel will arrest violators and seize their boats.”

As fishing operations resume, the district’s coastal economy is expected to see a revival, bringing much-needed relief to communities dependent on the sea for their livelihood.