19 Fishermen Arrested for Illegal Fishing in Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary

Bhubaneswar: A forest department team has arrested 19 fishermen for illegally fishing inside the Gahiramatha Marine Sanctuary in Kendrapara, a globally renowned nesting site for endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles.

During routine patrolling near Mahakalpada, the Ekakula and Barunei forest sections conducted a raid and seized two fishing trawlers, 18 fishing nets, two GPRS devices, three VHF sets, and a fish finder. Officials also confiscated over 6 quintals of fish.

Gahirmatha has been declared a strict no-fishing zone during the turtle nesting season. Authorities have intensified enforcement, and the arrested fishermen will be booked under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.