The traditional marine fishermen have sought for social security cover and the constitution of a task force to look afresh into their loss of livelihood stakes. The alternate livelihood package introduced for the affected people under the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Programme has failed to yield the desired results. The programme has now been stopped for the fishermen communities, said representative of the local traditional marine fishermen’s association Tushar Sardar. The six-month ban (November 1 to May 31) on sea fishing within the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary adversely affects the fishermen every year. The objective of the ban is to reduce turtle deaths. Around that time, the olive ridley turtles come here for nesting and often get caught in fishing nets and die. To compensate for the loss of the community, the state marine fisheries department is giving 2,000 fishermen Rs 5,000 a month during the enforced ban period, said assistant marine fisheries officer Manoranjan Mohapatra. We have written to the higher authorities for sanction of more funds, so that more genuine fishermen can be brought under the scheme. “The compensatory allowance eludes most of the fishermen. The trawler owners and their crew are reaping benefits, while the poor traditional fishermen have been left out. Besides, the net weavers, fish sellers, ice factory workers, who are also equally affected by the ban, are left in the lurch as the Rs 5,000 compensatory allowance is not being extended to them,” Sardar said. In view of drop in marine fish catch and subsequent loss of income, the fishermen have been voicing their demand for the government for formation of a task force to take up their plight. The task force should include, among others, the fishermen’s representatives and stakeholders. “We have requested the government for a fresh demarcation of marine sanctuary boundary. The economically backward sea-going fishermen with small boats cause no harm to the turtles as they use locally made nets. They should be provided with temporary permits for fishing activity on once-a-week basis,” said Sardar.