The arrested marine fishermen were natives of the Balasore and Mayurbhanj districts. The trawl and fishing implements used by them for sea voyage in prohibited marine sanctuary areas were seized. Later, they were remanded to judicial custody under relevant sections of the wildlife protection act, 1972, said officials.
Photo: SNS
In the latest crackdown on illegal fishing along the turtle habitation zones in Gahirmatha marine sanctuary of Odisha’s Kendrapara district, forest officials on Thursday arrested eight marine fishermen and seized their sea-worthy vessel.
The arrested marine fishermen were natives of the Balasore and Mayurbhanj districts. The trawl and fishing implements used by them for sea voyage in prohibited marine sanctuary areas were seized. Later, they were remanded to judicial custody under relevant sections of the wildlife protection act, 1972, said officials.
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With the latest interception, around 120 fishermen have so far been arrested for acts of intrusion into the marine sanctuary as the forest department is intent on ensuring the safety of Olive Ridley sea turtles, said forest officials. Around a dozen of sea-worthy vessels were also seized in the process since November 1 enforcement of the sea-fishing ban.
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The state government earlier clamped a seven-month-long trawl fishing ban along the 20 km stretch Dhamara-Devi river mouth from 1 November in view of the ensuing mass nesting of endangered Olive Ridley marine turtles. The fishing prohibition remains in forced round the year in Gahirmatha as it is accorded the status of marine sanctuary.
The mute species, accorded as schedule-1 animal under wildlife protection act for its highly threatened status, gets entangled in the nets for prolonged periods and die of asphyxiation. The turtles also perish in large numbers after getting hit by the fast moving propeller of the fishing trawlers, forest personnel said.
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