17 Fishermen Arrested for Illegal Fishing in Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary

Kendrapara, Dec 24 : Forest officials from the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary arrested 17 fishermen for illegal fishing within the “No Fishing Zone” of the sanctuary. Sudarshan Gopinath Jadav, Divisional Forest Officer of the Rajnagar Mangrove Forest and Wildlife Division, stated that the arrests were made on Monday.

During the operation, authorities seized four VHF sets, one GPS device, three trawling nets, and approximately 15 quintals of marine fish. The fishermen were charged under Sections 27, 29, and 31 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

The offenders were produced before the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) court in Rajnagar, where they were remanded to judicial custody. Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary, a critical habitat for endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles, enforces stringent measures to protect marine biodiversity.

Such actions by the forest personnel aim to deter unauthorized activities and safeguard the sanctuary’s ecological balance.