Bhubaneswar: The forest department team has arrested eight fishermen for fishing in the prohibited zone of Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary in Mahakalapada of Kendrapara district.
The team also seized one fishing trawler, VHF, seven nets, and 25 kg of fish. The forest department has imposed a seven-month ban on fishing at the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary to ensure the safety of the endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles during their annual nesting season. The ban came into effect today and will continue until May 31, 2026.
The restriction, extending up to 20 km off the Bay of Bengal coast, will be enforced by the Marine Fishery Department under the provisions of the Orissa Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1982, the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and the Orissa Marine Fishing Rules, 1983. The objective is to ensure the safety of the endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles during their annual nesting season.
Recognised as the world’s largest rookery of Olive Ridley turtles, Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary witnesses the arrival of thousands of these marine reptiles every year for mass nesting. To safeguard the turtles and provide a suitable environment for the upcoming nesting season, forest officials from Bhitarkanika have sought assistance from the Coast Guard, Marine Police, and the Fisheries Department to intensify surveillance in and around the sanctuary.
