Aquatic ecology and Biodiversity

Unit 12- Biodiversity and conservation

12.3.5. Marine sanctuaries
Marine preserved or sanctuaries for protection, conservation and management of bio resources for ecological, recreational and to keep the ethical values (Marine protection, research and sanctuaries Act (MPRSA)
The Indian Ocean Whale Sanctuary
It is an area in the Indian Ocean where the International Whaling Commission (IWC) has banned all types of commercial whaling. The IWC has at present designated two such sanctuaries, the other being the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary.
Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary
Gahirmatha is the only marine wildlife sanctuary of Orissa. The total area of the sanctuary is 1435.0 km² which includes 1408.0 km² of water body and 27.0 km² of land mass including reserve forests, mud flats and accreted sand bars. Core area of the sanctuary consists of 725.50 km² and the buffer zone accounts for 709.50 km². The entire sanctuary area comes within the revenue district of Kendrapara. Turtle Sanctuary has been preferred place for the Olive Ridley sea turtles that travel across oceans from as far as the south pacific to breed on the sands of Gahirmatha. Olive Ridley sea turtles feed on algae , marine snails, smaller forms of fish, fish eggs, crustaceans and jellyfishes.