Bhubaneswar, April 14: A two-month fishing ban along Odisha’s 484-km coastline will begin from April 15 to protect marine life during the peak breeding season.
All mechanised boats and trawlers must cease operations by midnight on April 14, according to fisheries officials in Paradip.
The ban impacts nearly 21,000 vessels, including 2,000 registered trawlers. While boats under 8.5 metres are exempt, they must operate only in territorial waters and target pelagic species.
Enforced under the Odisha Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1982, the restriction—first introduced in 1998—helps safeguard nearly 300 spawning marine species, including the prized Hilsa.
Many Telugu-speaking fishermen use this period as a seasonal break, returning to their native villages in Andhra Pradesh.
The fisheries department has launched awareness drives in coastal villages to ensure full compliance.
