Kendrapara: Forest personnel of the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary intercepted two trawlers in the early hours of Monday and arrested 17 fishermen for allegedly fishing illegally inside the “No-Fishing Zone” of the sanctuary.
According to Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary Ranger Kapilendra Pradhan, officials also seized two GPS devices, three VHF sets, two fish finders, 21 trawling nets, and 4.7 quintals of miscellaneous fish catch from the vessels.
All arrested fishermen have been booked under Sections 9, 27, 29, and 31 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and face penalties under Section 51 of the same Act. They were produced before the court, which remanded them to judicial custody.
Also Read: At least 8 fishermen arrested for fishing in turtle habitation zones in Kendrapara
In the past 48 hours, forest personnel have intercepted four fishing vessels and arrested 51 fishermen for illegal fishing within the prohibited zones of the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary.
