By Rabindra Kumar Panda

Chhatrapur: Repeated fishing bans during Cyclone Arnab and the subsequent floods have pushed thousands of fishermen in Ganjam district into financial distress, with many struggling to sustain their families without any compensation for lost working days.

“From September last year till now, we have not been able to go fishing for more than 20 days,” said Ch. Babaji, a fisherman from Podampeta in Ganjam block. “Without fishing, our livelihood is badly hit. We are surviving on loans, which we repay after selling our catch when we return to sea,” he said, adding that some women have taken up daily wage work to support their families.

K. Eleyya, a marine fisherman from Aryapalli, said fishermen were strictly barred from venturing into the sea on September 23, 2026, following a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal. Fishing in rivers and the sea is prohibited during natural calamities, but no financial assistance is provided for the days lost to such bans.

“We have repeatedly raised this issue at various levels, but no one has responded. Not just Aryapalli, but around 27,000 fishermen across the district are losing their livelihoods,” he said.

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Another fishermen's leader, M. Gumali, said the Fisheries Department had no special policy to support them during such disruptions. “If we go to sea, we survive. Otherwise, survival becomes difficult. But no one understands our plight,” he said.

Gumali said fishing activities had been disrupted for more than 15 days since September. While compensation is provided for cyclone and flood damage, fishermen receive no assistance for the loss of livelihood caused by fishing bans.

Fishermen in Ganjam, Chhatrapur, Rangeilunda and Chikiti blocks are facing similar hardships. With repeated restrictions keeping them away from the sea, many are forced to remain at home without an assured source of income. They question who will take up their cause and help secure support during such prolonged disruptions.