Kendrapara, Mar 29: Another step towards curbing illegal sea fishing in Gahirmatha marine sanctuary is noticed as the forest personnel have arrested ten fishermen on charges of violation of the imposed ban. They are said to be natives of fishing village here. Two motor-operated boats used for fishing along the prohibited sanctuary area have been seized by forest department who had gone for patrolling near unmanned Babuballi Island. The fishing vessel had trespassed into prohibited sanctuary corridors contravening the provisions of wildlife protection act, Orissa Marine fishing regulation act and mandatory rules of marine sanctuary.
The two accused have been taken to jail today under the section-27 & 29 of the provisions of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and Orissa Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1982. They have been strictly notified upon the restrictions imposed on human activities in the marine sanctuary by the Divisional Forest Officer, Rajnagar Mangrove (wildlife) Forest Division, Mr. Bimal Prasanna Acharya.
Sea fishing is prohibited within the marine sanctuary limits throughout the year except from November to May when sea patrolling is carried out within the Gahirmatha marine sanctuary water territory as this period is said to be the annual mass nesting season of endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles. Fishing vessels and marine fishermen communities are strictly warned not to venture into marine sanctuary area even though the turtle nesting season is over as its unlawful to fish in the marine sanctuary throughout the year.
