Figure 9.9: Fisherman Vulnerability map

Figure 9.9: Fisherman Vulnerability map

9.4.5 Major Activities

1. To produce spawn and fry for providing quality fish seed to the Pisciculturists. 2. To develop incremental water area through different schemes to increase fish production. 3. To render training to pisciulturists on modern scientific pisciculture for skill up gradation to increase productivity and thereby production. 4. To develop pisciculture in Reservoirs/ M.I.Ps through PFCS & SHGs by stocking advance fingerlings and installation of Cages. 5. To implement “Odisha Marine Fishing Regulation Act. 1982” 6. To provide assistance to affected fisher due to conservation of Turtle during fishing ban period.

9.4.6 Important Schemes Several lucrative schemes are being implemented by the Fisheries Department in our state Odisha. Amongst the schemes some are solely State funded whereas most are being executed by both the State Government & Central Government. The objective of all the schemes is to increase the fish production and meet the demand along with socioeconomic development of the fish farmer and fisher community.

1. Matsya Pokhari Yojana (MPY)

2. Piciculture by WSHGs in GP leased tanks

3. Prime Minister Surakhya Bima Yoyana

4. Blue Revolution

a) Supply of subsidized FR Boat to fishers

b) Mechanization of Traditional Boat

c) Scholarship to children of fishers

d) Revolving fund to WSHGs

e) Encouraging fish production through Biofloc / RAS

5. Assistance to fishers during fishing ban period.

9.4.7 Gopalpur port study

9.4.7.1 Ancient Kalinga era Gopalpur has an ancient sea port which was operational during the heyday of maritime Kalinga region. It is identified with the site Mansurkota located near Gopalpur, just below the mouth of the river Rushikulya. Ptolemy refers to an apheterion or the point of departure located south of Palur port from where ships bound for Southeast Asia embarked on its voyage.

9.4.7.2 Post-Medieval era

Under the ownership of the Soraine family the village grew in wealth, from an obscure little fishing village, Gopalpur became a prominent trading port. The family built the

port, the lighthouse and the Albert Hotel and established both a local fishing industry and a trade route with Burma.

They also established the bylaw allowing any villagers who could build a house, with a perimeter and light a fire in the fireplace overnight, could then keep the land and house (on the backwaters) as their own.

During the British rule family squabbles and disputes resulted in much being transferred to British missionaries. The Albert Hotel now locked in ownership battles and lying derelict is the last remnant of those squabbles.

During the days of British East India Company The East India Company built large warehouses and godowns because the trade with Burma had picked up and it had become a trading point for rice from Rangoon.

Victor Soraine returned to India from England and built BetVic house where he retired, surrounded by memories of childhood and his family legacy. His final wish was granted when he was buried in his ancestral lands just a few years ago.

Gopalpur has reverted to being a quiet, relaxed place but with one major difference — it is one of India's most sought after beaches, with a distinct charm of its own.

9.4.7.3 Port area Development • The port had become nonfunctional after the 1999 super cyclone.

• Now also it is vulnerable to cyclones and even recent cyclones like Phaylin and

Titli the landfall was Gopalpur which had harmed the port a lot.

• Odisha govt and Gopalpur Port Limited (GPL) are now funding for the all weather port development.

• This port is helping the state in employment, economic generation and trade of goods.

9.4.7.4 Impact of Gopalput port on Environment • The port is near the Rushikulya river mouth which is a ecologically sensitive area because of olive ridley nesting point.

• Due to expansion of port there is a threat to both marine and terrestrial ecosystem and also a cause for deforestation.

• Due to oil spills from the ships, it is harming aquatic animals like fish, jelly fish, crabs, turtles and also aquatic plants.

• It is also polluting the sea water.

• The oil spills is polluting the sands near the beach and river which is causing deaths to hatchilings of turtles. Also it is killing turtle food like jelly fish and aquatic plants.

• It is also polluting river water near the mouth. And also the salt farmers.

• Fishermen are also affected by this as they don’t get any fish. And if they get this may affect their health as said by local fishermen community.