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Gahirmatha Sanctuary: 19 Arrested for Illegal Trawling
30 Sep
Summary
- Forest officials seized two fishing trawlers and arrested 19 fishermen.
- Illegal fishing activities were conducted within the Gahirmatha Marine Wildlife Sanctuary.
- The sanctuary is a critical nesting ground for endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles.
Forest officials in Kendrapada apprehended 19 marine fishermen on Tuesday for conducting illegal fishing activities within the Gahirmatha Marine Wildlife Sanctuary. The arrests were made during routine morning patrols by staff of the Gahirmatha Wildlife Range.
Two fishing trawlers, identified as Nandini-1 and Ombaba, were intercepted approximately 4 km from Madeli Mouth, well within the sanctuary limits. The occupants of the trawlers failed to produce any valid documentation authorising their presence or fishing activities in the protected zone.
Investigations revealed that the fishermen had intentionally entered the sanctuary to fish using gill nets and trawling nets, violating provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. Forest authorities seized the two trawlers, GPS and VHF sets, fishing nets, and approximately 40 kg of miscellaneous marine fish.
Two wildlife offence cases have been registered, and the 19 fishermen were subsequently produced before the court. The Gahirmatha Marine Wildlife Sanctuary, established in 1997 to protect endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles, prohibits all types of fishing year-round within its 1,435 sq km sea area to preserve marine wildlife and its critical habitat.
Recognized globally as the largest rookery for sea turtles, Gahirmatha beach hosts the mass nesting of lakhs of turtles every winter, underscoring the importance of these conservation efforts.
