In a strict crackdown on unlawful maritime activities, the Forest Department arrested 19 fishermen and seized two trawlers for illegal fishing within the restricted waters of the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary in Rajnagar. The interception took place near Madali Mouth during a routine sea patrol.
A dedicated patrolling team led by Range Officer Chitrasen Jena, alongside Forester Prafulla Majhi, Forest Guards Niranjan Mandal, Dolagobinda Nayak, and other departmental staff, intercepted the two vessels, identified as ‘Nandini-1’ and ‘Om Baba’. The trawlers were found actively engaged in unauthorized fishing activities within the ecologically sensitive sanctuary zone.
During the raid, officials confiscated significant maritime and fishing equipment, including two GPS navigation devices, two VHF communication sets, 10 trawling nets, and 11 gill nets. Additionally, 40 kilograms of marine fish were recovered from the vessels.
According to the Forest Department, the 19 arrested individuals hail from the Balasore and Bhadrak districts. Following their arrest, all accused fishermen were forwarded to court to face legal proceedings for violating wildlife and marine protection laws.
