Fishing Trawler Seized from Restricted Zone, 6 Crew Members Detained – Fisheries Department’s Inaction Under Scrutiny
Kakatpur (Tushar Dixit), Dated 12/03 – Due to the negligence of the Fisheries Department and alleged collusion with trawler owners, the restrictions imposed for the protection of endangered Olive Ridley turtles—from November 1 to May 31—are being violated repeatedly. Despite this ban, illegal fishing activities continue in the restricted zones.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Astarang forest department’s patrolling team seized a fishing trawler named Ganga Mata-2 (Registration No. IND.05.MM 1174) while it was illegally fishing near the Devi Nashi coast of Astarang. Six crew members onboard were detained, according to information provided by the forest department. Following the seizure, the trawler was scheduled to be handed over to the Marine Fisheries Department under the supervision of the forest range officer by the evening.
Reportedly, forester Prafulla Kumar Biswal, Kailash Nayak, forest guard Abhimanyu Behera, and members of the APR force apprehended the vessel during a routine sea patrol within the restricted zone.
However, after the handover, concerns arise about the next stage. It is often observed that the Fisheries Department keeps the seized fish quantity undisclosed, conducts auctions at low prices under the guise of limited catch, and makes huge profits—allegedly pocketed by departmental officials. Such activities have been reported in the Astarang coastal region and are raising serious questions about accountability.
The involvement of trawlers in the prohibited area, taking advantage of the silence and inaction of the Fisheries Department, has sparked widespread discussion among intellectuals and local observers.
