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Monday, Feb 18, 2008
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OUSM for turtle conservation

Staff Reporter

BHUBANESWAR: Observing the increasing number of deaths of Olive Ridley turtles along the State’s coast, the Orissa Upakula Surakhya Mahasangha (OUSM), a State-level coordination committee comprising of local fishermen, volunteers and conservationists, urged the Government to involve them in turtle conservation.

Submitting a memorandum to the Chief Wildlife Warden Bijay Ketan Patnaik, OUSM members sought legal recognition of local groups, which have been protecting and conserving the endangered species.

TED mandatory

“Turtle Excluder Device (TED) should be mandatory in all trawl-fishing nets. Identity card should be issued to all traditional fisher communities living in and around the area while no fishing zone should be clearly demarcated,” Bijay Kabi, the convenor of OUSM, said.

“Out of 240 fishing days in a year, 180 fishing days (Nov 1 to May 31) has been restricted for turtle conservation, which has been affecting approximately 23,000 active fishermen from 15,359 households. The total amount of loss incurred by the marginalized communities in each year is around Rs. 40.37 crores,” he said.

Compensation

Even Central Empowered Committee (CEC) had recommended compensation for fishermen community affected by the ban but till date no compensation had been given to them, it alleged.

Mr. Kabi said conservation of turtles and protection of livelihood of fisherman should be taken care of.

Seeking greater accountability, Mr. Kabi said, “use of grants received by the State Government should be discussed with the local communities.

A State-level high power committees should be formed under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister to review turtle casualties.”

OUSM was of the view that strengthening of infrastructure such as purchase of speedboats for patrolling and deployment of armed force to trace out violators would help reduce the deaths of turtle.

The association said Olive Ridley turtles were under immense threat due to uncontrolled fishing activities.

Over the last decade more than 1, 20,000 dead turtles were washed ashore on the beaches and more than 2, 00,000 washed out into the sea, OUSM said.

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