The Odisha Forest Department apprehended 17 fishermen from Balasore district and seized their trawler for illegally fishing within the turtle congregation zone of the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary. The arrest and seizure occurred on Sunday during a forest patrol, said Assistant Conservator of Forest Manas Das.
The fishermen, traditional marine fishers, were remanded to judicial custody for violating the Wildlife Protection Act, Orissa Marine Fishing Regulation, and mandatory marine sanctuary rules. “The vessel had trespassed into prohibited sanctuary corridors, contravening laws designed to protect endangered Olive Ridley turtles,” added Das.
Since the enforcement of the seasonal fishing ban on November 1, aimed at safeguarding the mass nesting of Olive Ridley turtles, the Forest Department has arrested over 100 fishermen and seized 17 vessels for similar offenses. The seven-month trawler fishing ban along a 20-km stretch from the Dhamara-Devi river mouth remains in effect to ensure the safety of these vulnerable marine creatures.
Gahirmatha, a year-round marine sanctuary, is a critical nesting site for Olive Ridley turtles, listed as Schedule I species under the Wildlife Protection Act due to their threatened status. The turtles face significant risks from fishing activities, including entanglement in nets leading to asphyxiation and collisions with fast-moving trawler propellers.
In May 2024, more than 300,000 Olive Ridley turtles arrived for mass nesting at Gahirmatha. Female turtles crawl onto the sandy beaches, dig pits, and lay millions of eggs during this annual event, crucial for their survival.
Forest officials emphasized their commitment to enforcing stringent measures to protect these iconic species and their habitats.
Source: Hans India
