From April 15 to June 14, all trawlers and mechanised boats except traditional craft and motorised vessels under 8.5 metres are barred from venturing into the sea.

The Fisheries Department said the ban coincides with rough sea conditions, making fishing unsafe, while also giving fish and other marine species time to spawn undisturbed. Natural replenishment of stocks, officials stressed, is vital for long-term sustainability.

The move, however, has triggered anxiety among thousands of fisherfolk in districts like Ganjam, Kendrapara, and Jagatsinghpur, where families depend almost entirely on daily catches for survival. Past bans have seen protests and demands for compensation, with fishermen urging the government to provide financial aid or alternative livelihood schemes during the lean period.

Authorities have warned of strict action under the Odisha Marine Fishing Regulation Act against violators, including confiscation of boats.