Bhubaneswar: A forest team arrested 19 fishermen for illegally fishing in the Gahiramatha Marine Sanctuary in Kendrapara, a protected area and the world’s largest rookery of endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles.
The Ekakula and Barunei Sections forest team conducted a raid during patrolling near Mahakalpada and seized two fishing trawlers, 18 fishing nets, two GPRS devices, three VHF sets, and a fish finder. Over 6 quintals of fish were also confiscated.
Gahirmatha has been declared a no-fishing zone during the turtle nesting season, and authorities are taking strict action against those violating the ban. The arrested fishermen will face charges under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
