34 Fishermen Arrested for Illegal Fishing in Odisha's Gahirmatha Sanctuary

Fishermen Detained in Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary

Forest officials in Odisha have apprehended 34 fishermen from the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary located in Kendrapara district. Additionally, two boats used for fishing have been confiscated, as reported by the authorities on Sunday.

According to a forest department representative, these arrests occurred within the last 48 hours. The fishermen are accused of illegally fishing in a restricted area. Manas Das, the Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) for Bhitarkanika, informed a news agency that the boats belonging to the fishermen were seized by forest patrol teams.

The detained fishermen hail from the districts of Balasore and Mayurbhanj and have since been placed in judicial custody. Das explained that the boats had ventured into prohibited corridors of the sanctuary, violating the Wildlife Protection Act, the Odisha Marine Fisheries Regulation Act, and essential rules associated with the marine sanctuary.

As per forest officials, nearly 200 fishermen have been arrested to date for fishing in the breeding grounds of Olive Ridley sea turtles. In light of the endangered Olive Ridley turtles' breeding season, the state government has imposed a fishing ban from November 1 for seven months in a 20-kilometer stretch from Dhamra to the mouth of the Devi River. However, due to Gahirmatha's designation as a marine sanctuary, this ban is enforced year-round.