Other States - Orissa

Fishermen caught in prohibited sea zone

Kendrapara: Eight fishermen were taken into custody from Gahirmatha marine sanctuary off the Bay of Bengal coast for illegally fishing along the restricted coastal water territory. The Rajnagar Mangrove Forest division sources said the turtle surveillance squad spotted the sea-worthy vessels yesterday near Satabhaya and Chinchiri off Gahirmatha coast where concentration of breeding turtles is pronounced.

The vessels, which were seized by the surveillance, were mechanised trawlers. The crew members, all migrant Telugu -speaking fishermen, were taken into custody and later forwarded to the court. Fish catch worth nearly Rs. 1 lakh and fishing nets and other implements were also seized from their possession. Rise in mortality rate of mating turtles led to the prohibition as the nets used by fishermen entangles and kills highly endangered turtles. - PTI

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