Bhubaneswar, May 12: To support coastal communities during the annual fishing ban, the Odisha Fisheries Department announced that 12,000 fishermen will receive ₹1,500 per month as compensation. This initiative is part of the state’s ‘Livelihood Support to Marine Fishermen During Fishing Ban Period’ scheme, aimed at easing the financial burden on small fishermen during the 61-day ban from April 15 to June 14.

However, the support is limited to fishermen registered under the ‘Saving-cum-Relief’ scheme. As explained by Rabi Narayan Patnaik, Joint Director of Fisheries (Marine), only fishermen aged 18 to 60 who have contributed ₹1,500 over the past nine months are eligible. While Odisha has around 1.5 lakh marine fishermen, only 12,000 met the criteria. These beneficiaries will receive a total of ₹4,500, disbursed in three installments for April, May, and June.

The fishing ban is primarily intended to conserve marine fish stocks during their breeding season. As a result, mechanized boats, including 1,726 registered trawlers, are currently docked at state fishing harbors and jetties, such as Kharinashi in Kendrapara.

Some exemptions exist to safeguard local livelihoods. Small mechanized and non-mechanized boats under 8.5 meters are not subject to the ban, and traditional fishermen are allowed to fish in territorial waters, provided they stick to pelagic species. The policy seeks to balance ecological conservation with the economic needs of fishing communities.