Seven Andhra Fishermen Held for Illegal Fishing in Gahirmatha Sanctuary

Bhubaneswar: In a fresh crackdown to safeguard the endangered olive ridley sea turtles, authorities in Kendrapara district have arrested seven fishermen from Andhra Pradesh for illegally fishing inside the protected waters of the Gahirmatha marine sanctuary.

The arrests were made on Tuesday after the fishermen, residents of Vizianagaram district, were caught operating their trawler within the restricted turtle congregation zone. Officials also seized the vessel along with all fishing gear. A local court has subsequently remanded the seven accused to judicial custody under provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

This action forms part of an intensified enforcement drive. With these arrests, the number of fishermen detained for intruding into the sanctuary since November 1 has climbed to around 110.

The crackdown aligns with the ongoing seven-month seasonal fishing ban along a 20-km stretch from the Dhamara-Devi river mouth, imposed ahead of the olive ridley mass nesting season. The prohibition is vital for protecting the vulnerable species, which face deadly risks from fishing nets and trawler propellers.

Gahirmatha, considered one of the world’s most important mass nesting sites for olive ridleys, remains a crucial conservation zone, and authorities continue to enforce strict measures to ensure the turtles’ safe arrival and breeding.