December 23rd 2024.
In the district of Kendrapara, the Odisha Forest department has taken action against a group of fishermen for violating the rules of the Gahirmatha marine sanctuary. According to an official, 17 fishermen were arrested and their trawler was confiscated for illegally fishing in the designated turtle congregation area.
The forest patrol teams were able to seize the fishing vessel on Sunday, which was being used by the intruders to fish in the prohibited sanctuary area. The 17 arrested individuals are traditional marine fishermen from Balasore district and have been remanded to judicial custody, as stated by Assistant Conservator of Forest, Manas Das.
The forest officer also pointed out that the fishing vessels had trespassed into prohibited sanctuary corridors, which goes against the provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, Orissa Marine Fishing Regulation, and the mandatory rules of the marine sanctuary. This latest interception adds to the previous arrests made by the forest department, bringing the total number to over 100 fishermen who have been taken into custody for intruding into the marine sanctuary. According to forest officials, 17 vessels have also been seized since the enforcement of the sea-fishing ban on November 1.
The state government has imposed a seven-month-long trawler fishing ban along the 20 km stretch of Dhamara-Devi river mouth from November 1. This is in line with the upcoming mass nesting of endangered Olive Ridley marine turtles, as the safety of these turtles is a top priority for the forest department. It is important to note that fishing is prohibited in Gahirmatha throughout the year, as it is recognized as a marine sanctuary.
The Olive Ridley turtles are classified as a schedule-1 animal under the Wildlife Protection Act due to their highly threatened status. Unfortunately, many of these turtles get trapped in fishing nets and die from suffocation. In addition, a large number of them also lose their lives from colliding with the fast-moving propellers of fishing trawlers, according to forest officials.
During the previous mass nesting season in May 2024, more than three lakh Olive Ridley turtles had made their way to the beach for their annual nesting. These female turtles come ashore to lay millions of eggs in the pits they dig on the peaceful beach, as reported by officials.
In conclusion, the actions taken by the forest department are crucial in ensuring the safety and conservation of the Olive Ridley turtles. It is important for all individuals to respect the rules and regulations of the marine sanctuary in order to protect these endangered creatures.
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