At least 32 marine fishermen were arrested by forest officials on Saturday night from Gahiramatha Marine Sanctuary of Kendrapara district on the charges of illegal fishing. Four fishing trawlers were also seized. Forest Range Officer Subrat Kumar Patra said the trawler operators have been directed not to fish within 20 km from the coastline in the marine sanctuary areas from Agaranasi to Dhamara. Forest guards have been deployed to nab the fishermen venturing into the restricted areas, he added. Gahiramatha beach is the largest rookery of sea turtles in the world, who come to lay eggs in the coast during winter. To protect the endangered marine species, the Government has banned all types of fishing for seven months from November 1 to May 31. We have established 15 turtle protection camps including three offshore camps at Agaranashi, Barunei and Babubali islands to protect turtles in Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary. The policemen of marine police stations at Kharinashi and Paradip are helping the forest officials to prevent illegal fishing this year. We have already arrested 102 fishermen and seized 14 fishing vessels till now, Patra added.
New Indian Express. 2016