The Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary personnel arrested 12 fishermen for unauthorisedly catching fish at the ‘No Fishing zone’ of Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary in the wee hours today. All the 12 fishermen were later booked under Section 27,29,31 of Wildlife (Protection) Act,1972 and produced before the JMFC court of Rajnagar which remanded them into jail custody Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary Ranger Debashis Bhoi said the forest personnel have seized the fishing vessel, 40 kg fish catch, 12 trawler nets ,1 VHF set,1 GPS ,one fish finder and other fishing equipments from the arrested fishermen Mr.Bhoi said the patrolling team came across a fishing trawler was catching fish illegally near Barueni mouth inside the prohibited zone of Gahirmatha Marine sanctuary, after trespassing into the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary.
The marine fishery department has imposed a ban on fishing activities inside the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary from November 1 to May,31,2022 to protect the endangered Olive Ridley Sea turtles, who come enmass for laying eggs at Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary ,known as largest rookery of the species The seven months ban has been imposed in accordance with provisions of Orissa Marine Fishing Regulation Act (OMFRA), 1982 ,Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and Orissa Marine Fishing Rules, 1983. Ever since the ban was imposed, the forest personnel have intercepted as many as five mechanised fishing boats, including two trawlers and arrested 53 fishermen.