Turtle Patrol Vessel Comes Under Attack In Gahirmatha Seawaters In Odisha

Kendrapada: A turtle patrol vessel of Forest Department was attacked by crew of trawlers illegally fishing in prohibited seawaters of  Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary in Odisha’s Kendrapada district, an official said on Tuesday.

According to sources, an eleven-member turtle patrol vessel found 15-20 trawlers fishing in the prohibited seawaters on Monday afternoon. The fishermen attacked the patrol vessel when officials asked them to surrender near the Mahanadi river mouth in front of Hukitola. “All of a sudden, the trawlers headed for the patrol vessel, intending to capsize it. Thought he crew of patrol vessel were outnumbered by those in intruding trawls, they did not open fire in self-defence.” Assistant Conservator of Forest, Bhitarkanika national park, Manask Kumar Dash told PTI.

The intruders retreated after two other forest vessels rushed to the site on receiving distress call from the officials, he added.

A complaint was later filed at Dhamra Marine police station against the trawler owners.

“Gahiramatha is a very good fishing ground. The trawlers come together and fish at one place. Though our staff are armed, it is difficult to fight the marauding trawlers,” said Rajanagar Forest Division officer Sudarshan Gopinath Jadav.

This came a day after the arrest of eleven fishermen for violating the fishing ban from November 1 to May 31 to protect the endangered Olive Ridley turtles, which come to Gahirmatha coast for laying eggs every winter.

The arrested fishermen were booked under Sections 27, 29, 31 and 51 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and produced in court on Monday, Range Officer of the Forest Division Pradosh Moharana told the media.

The Forest Department has set up 16 turtle protection camps, including two offshore ones at Madali and Babubali islands, to protect the Olive Ridleys, sources added.