Trawler Seized from Restricted Olive Ridley Zone; 13 Workers Detained, Fish Worth Lakhs Confiscated

Kakatpur: 08/11
By: Tushar Dixit

Despite the ongoing fishing restrictions imposed for the protection of Olive Ridley turtles, a trawler was seized by the patrolling team on Friday. According to reports, 13 crew members were detained and a large quantity of fish, worth several lakhs of rupees, was found on board.

The trawler was intercepted near the river mouth (Muhana) and brought to the marine jetty at Nuagarh under the custody of the Forest Department. It was later handed over to the Marine Fisheries Department. The fish haul was unloaded and an auction process is underway. However, at the time of reporting, the exact quantity of fish had not yet been confirmed.

According to documents, the seized trawler is named Sarba Mangala-7, registered in Baleswar district, and owned by Shivani Maity of the Kendrapara region.

As part of the annual Olive Ridley turtle protection initiative, a 20-kilometer stretch from the seashore has been declared a restricted zone, and fishing has been strictly prohibited from November 1 to May 31.

During this period, joint patrolling is conducted by the Forest Department, Fisheries Department, and the Coast Guard. However, despite the regulations, illegal trawler activity continues, which led to today’s seizure.

Marine Fisheries Officer Satyajit Das informed that more than 25 trays of fish, roughly weighing between 5 to 6 quintals, were found on the seized trawler.