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Fishermen Arrested for Illegal Fishing in Marine Sanctuary
7 Nov
Summary
- Eight marine fishermen were apprehended for illegal fishing activities.
- The arrests occurred within the protected Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary.
- Fishing is banned from November to May to protect marine turtles.
Eight marine fishermen were arrested and their vessel seized by forest officials on Thursday night within the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary in Kendrapada district. The operation resulted in the confiscation of fishing equipment, including GPS and fish finders. The arrested individuals were charged under several sections of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and subsequently produced in court, where their bail applications were denied, leading to their judicial custody.
The Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary, spanning 1,435 square kilometers, prohibits marine fishing within 20 kilometers of its coastline. This vast area, demarcated by buoys last year, was declared a sanctuary in 1997 specifically to safeguard marine turtles. These turtles migrate in large numbers each winter to Gahirmatha beach, the world's largest sea turtle rookery, to lay eggs. To ensure the protection of these endangered species, the government imposes a complete fishing ban annually from November 1 to May 31.
