Bhubaneshwar, (UNI) The Forest officials have arrested as many as 20 marine fishermen, including two natives of West Bengal, and seized two sea-worthy fishing trawlers from the sea water of the Gahirmatha marine sanctuary of Kendrapara district on the charges of illegally fishing within the turtle congregation zone, an official said today.
The fishing trawlers, used by the intruders for fishing along the prohibited sanctuary area, were seized by the forest patrol team. They were later sent to judicial custody under relevant sections of the Wildlife Protection Act, said a forest official.
The fishing vessels had trespassed into prohibited sanctuary corridors contravening the provisions of Wildlife Protection Act, Orissa Marine Fishing Regulation Act and mandatory rules of marine sanctuary, added the forest officer.
With the latest interceptions, around 365 fishermen have so far been arrested for acts of intrusion into the marine sanctuary as the Forest department has intensified sea-route patrolling to ensure the safety of Olive Ridley sea turtles, said forest officials.
