Trawler Seized, 8 Detained for Illegal Fishing in Prohibited Zone

Kakatpur – 04/03/2024 (Tushar Dixit): From November 1 to May 31, a 20-kilometer stretch of the sea coast has been declared a prohibited zone by the government, where fishing is strictly banned. This restriction is aimed at protecting the endangered Olive Ridley turtles during their breeding and nesting season.

Despite this restriction, today at the Keluni estuary in Astaranga, a trawler named Parambrahma-1 (Reg. No. IND-OR-05-MM-58) was caught illegally fishing in the restricted zone. The Forest Department’s patrolling team intercepted the trawler while it was actively engaged in fishing activities.

The raid was led by Forester Sabir Kumar Sahu, along with forest guards Nirmal Chandra Patra and Shashikanta Sethi, supported by the turtle protection squad and the A.P.R. team. The trawler was seized and handed over to the Fisheries Department.

Eight fishermen aboard the vessel have been detained. The Fisheries Department has filed a case regarding the incident.