Orissa Marine Resources Conservation Consortium

The state of Orissa on the east coast of India is a globally significant breeding area for olive ridley turtles. There are three mass nesting beaches at Gahirmatha, Devi River Mouth and Rushikulya. This population is also subject to high fishery related adult turtle mortality, with over 10,000 dead turtles washed ashore each year, totaling over 100,000 in the last decade. At present, both State and Central laws mandate protection measures in Orissa to reduce turtle mortality rates and safeguard their breeding and nesting habitats. Despite several years of legislation, the mortality of sea turtles continues to be high. It is generally accepted by different stakeholders that the genesis of poor implementation lies in a flawed conservation design as a result of poor data on sea turtles and fisheries. The most important flaw is the approach to conservation itself, which has been exclusionary and top-down.

Integrated conservation solutions can be generated through greater stakeholder awareness and participation. The members of Dakshin have been facilitating this through an informal group including the fishworker unions of Orissa, conservation organisations, development NGOs, reputed turtle biologists and individuals interested in sea turtle conservation measures and in sustainable fisheries in Orissa. Expressly, this group seeks to demonstrate that collaborations between state forest and fisheries departments, fisherfolk, scientists and conservation groups can lead to more effective marine conservation. The partnership has already led to the initiation of projects for marine conservation, enterprise and livelihoods and also greater networking, training and research on sea turtles and fisheries in the region.

Through the OMRCC, educational material including booklets and posters on legislations related to marine conservation and fisheries management in Orissa have been produced.  Upakulare… a newsletter is also produced by the OMRCC members.

 

Team: Aarthi Sridhar, Sudarshan Rodriguez, Kartik Shanker

Publications and resources

Orissa Marine Conservation Legislation – English
Orissa Marine Conservation Legislation – Oriya
Fishing Regulations in Orissa – Rushikulya
Fishing Regulations in Orissa – Gahirmatha
Fishing Regulations in Orissa – Devi

WEBSITE
www.omrcc.org