Trawler Seized, 8 Detained for Fishing in Prohibited Zone

Kakatpur, Date: 16/02/2024 – The coastal region up to 20 kilometers from the seashore has been declared a prohibited zone by the government from November 1 to May 31. Fishing in this area is strictly banned due to the ongoing breeding season of the rare Olive Ridley turtles, as their nesting and egg-laying process begins during this period.

To protect the turtles, the coastal waters of Astaranga have been designated as a restricted zone. Despite this, today, a trawler named Pavansut-3, bearing registration number IND-OR-04-MM-234, was found illegally fishing about 5 kilometers from Devi Nasi near Astaranga. The trawler was intercepted by a forest department patrolling team.

During the operation, Forester Biraja Prasad Mahapatra, Forest Guard Milan Mohanty, members of the Turtle Protection Squad, and the APR team jointly seized the trawler and handed it over to the Fisheries Department.

A total of 8 fishermen aboard the trawler were detained. The Fisheries Department has registered a case in this regard.