6 held for illegal fishing in Gahirmatha
Kendrapada: Forest officials arrested six fishermen on Wednesday for illegal fishing within the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary in Kendrapara district. The officials also seized their fishing vessel along with one quintal of fish, a VHF set, a GPS device, and two fishing nets.
“The arrested fishermen have been booked under sections 27, 29, 31, and 51 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972,” said Manas Das, forest range officer of Gahirmatha marine sanctuary. The sanctuary, home to the world’s largest sea turtle rookery, enforces a seven-month fishing ban from Nov 1 to May 31 to protect endangered marine species. According to officials, 34 fishing vessels have been seized, and 313 fishermen have been arrested during the current ban period.
However, fishing community leaders have criticised the arrests, arguing that many fishermen are detained while returning to fishing jetties at Talachua and Jamboo. “We need a designated passage through the sanctuary to reach fishing grounds beyond the protected area,” said Narayan Haldar, president of the Odisha Masyajibi Forum.
He highlighted that nearly 30,000 marine fishermen from Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur districts are facing significant hardships due to the ban. According to sources, the heavy siltation at Paradip fishing harbour has further complicated their situation, making navigation difficult, particularly during low tide.
Haldar added, “The officials have failed to provide any alternative income sources to fishermenduring the seven-month fishing ban.” The conflict between conservation efforts and fishing rights continues to escalate, with fishermen demanding the implementation of provisions under the Odisha Marine Fishing Regulation Act (OMFRA), 1982, which protects their right to passage through river mouths.
Kendrapada: Forest officials arrested six fishermen on Wednesday for illegal fishing within the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary in Kendrapara district. The officials also seized their fishing vessel along with one quintal of fish, a VHF set, a GPS device, and two fishing nets.
“The arrested fishermen have been booked under sections 27, 29, 31, and 51 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972,” said Manas Das, forest range officer of Gahirmatha marine sanctuary. The sanctuary, home to the world’s largest sea turtle rookery, enforces a seven-month fishing ban from Nov 1 to May 31 to protect endangered marine species. According to officials, 34 fishing vessels have been seized, and 313 fishermen have been arrested during the current ban period.
However, fishing community leaders have criticised the arrests, arguing that many fishermen are detained while returning to fishing jetties at Talachua and Jamboo. “We need a designated passage through the sanctuary to reach fishing grounds beyond the protected area,” said Narayan Haldar, president of the Odisha Masyajibi Forum.
He highlighted that nearly 30,000 marine fishermen from Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur districts are facing significant hardships due to the ban. According to sources, the heavy siltation at Paradip fishing harbour has further complicated their situation, making navigation difficult, particularly during low tide.
Haldar added, “The officials have failed to provide any alternative income sources to fishermenduring the seven-month fishing ban.” The conflict between conservation efforts and fishing rights continues to escalate, with fishermen demanding the implementation of provisions under the Odisha Marine Fishing Regulation Act (OMFRA), 1982, which protects their right to passage through river mouths.
“The arrested fishermen have been booked under sections 27, 29, 31, and 51 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972,” said Manas Das, forest range officer of Gahirmatha marine sanctuary. The sanctuary, home to the world’s largest sea turtle rookery, enforces a seven-month fishing ban from Nov 1 to May 31 to protect endangered marine species. According to officials, 34 fishing vessels have been seized, and 313 fishermen have been arrested during the current ban period.
However, fishing community leaders have criticised the arrests, arguing that many fishermen are detained while returning to fishing jetties at Talachua and Jamboo. “We need a designated passage through the sanctuary to reach fishing grounds beyond the protected area,” said Narayan Haldar, president of the Odisha Masyajibi Forum.
He highlighted that nearly 30,000 marine fishermen from Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur districts are facing significant hardships due to the ban. According to sources, the heavy siltation at Paradip fishing harbour has further complicated their situation, making navigation difficult, particularly during low tide.
Haldar added, “The officials have failed to provide any alternative income sources to fishermenduring the seven-month fishing ban.” The conflict between conservation efforts and fishing rights continues to escalate, with fishermen demanding the implementation of provisions under the Odisha Marine Fishing Regulation Act (OMFRA), 1982, which protects their right to passage through river mouths.
Kendrapada: Forest officials arrested six fishermen on Wednesday for illegal fishing within the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary in Kendrapara district. The officials also seized their fishing vessel along with one quintal of fish, a VHF set, a GPS device, and two fishing nets.
“The arrested fishermen have been booked under sections 27, 29, 31, and 51 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972,” said Manas Das, forest range officer of Gahirmatha marine sanctuary. The sanctuary, home to the world’s largest sea turtle rookery, enforces a seven-month fishing ban from Nov 1 to May 31 to protect endangered marine species. According to officials, 34 fishing vessels have been seized, and 313 fishermen have been arrested during the current ban period.
However, fishing community leaders have criticised the arrests, arguing that many fishermen are detained while returning to fishing jetties at Talachua and Jamboo. “We need a designated passage through the sanctuary to reach fishing grounds beyond the protected area,” said Narayan Haldar, president of the Odisha Masyajibi Forum.
He highlighted that nearly 30,000 marine fishermen from Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur districts are facing significant hardships due to the ban. According to sources, the heavy siltation at Paradip fishing harbour has further complicated their situation, making navigation difficult, particularly during low tide.
Haldar added, “The officials have failed to provide any alternative income sources to fishermenduring the seven-month fishing ban.” The conflict between conservation efforts and fishing rights continues to escalate, with fishermen demanding the implementation of provisions under the Odisha Marine Fishing Regulation Act (OMFRA), 1982, which protects their right to passage through river mouths.
