OST Bureau

Kendrapara, Nov 16:

Tin a mid-sea crackdown, the turtle protection squad of the Forest department has arrested seven fishermen for allegedly fishing in the prohibited breeding zone of endangered marine animals in Gahirmatha.

Departmental sources said the squad also seized the deep sea trawler used for fishing near Hukitola Island within Gahirmatha marine sanctuary on Friday.

The arrested fishermen hailing from Balasore district were later remanded to jail custody.

Sea patrolling has been intensified within the Gahirmatha water territory in view of the annual mass nesting season of the endangered Olive Ridley turtles, the sources said.

Forest department sources said coast guard, forest, police and fisheries departments are conducting joint operations to stop unlawful entry of fishing trawlers and boats into the prohibited area.