Archive · 3 Dec 2025
11 held for illegal fishing in turtle zone
Eleven fishermen were caught and arrested for fishing in a special area where turtles lay their eggs.
This area is a protected zone called Gahirmatha marine sanctuary in Odisha, India.
The government has banned fishing in this area for seven months to keep the turtles safe.
Since November, 130 fishermen have been arrested, and around a dozen boats have been taken away for breaking the rules.
The turtles can get hurt or die if they get caught in fishing nets or hit by boats.
The government is trying to protect these endangered turtles so they can lay their eggs safely.
Eleven fishermen were arrested for illegal fishing in the Gahirmatha marine sanctuary.
Their trawler was seized, and they were booked under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
A total of 130 fishermen have been arrested and around a dozen vessels seized since November 1.
The government has imposed a seven-month fishing ban from November 1 to May 31 in a 20-km stretch to protect Olive Ridley turtles.
Gahirmatha marine sanctuary has a round-the-year fishing ban due to its status as a marine sanctuary.
- Who
- Eleven marine fishermen from Kendrapara district
- What
- Illegal fishing in turtle habitation zones
- When
- Monday (specific date not mentioned)
- Where
- Gahirmatha marine sanctuary, Kendrapara district, Odisha, India
- Why
- To protect endangered Olive Ridley marine turtles during their mass nesting season
- Location
- Gahirmatha marine sanctuary, Kendrapara district
- Number of Arrested
- 11
- Number of Vessels Seized
- 1
- Total Arrests Since November 1
- 130
- Total Vessels Seized Since November 1
- around a dozen
- Fishing Ban Duration
- 7 months (November 1 to May 31)
- Fishing Ban Area
- 20-km stretch from Dhamara to Devi river mouth
- Reason for Ban
- Mass nesting of endangered Olive Ridley marine turtles