As many as 175 marine fishermen have been apprehended, and approximately 22 fishing vessels seized since November 1 on charges of illegal fishing within the Gahirmatha marine sanctuary, renowned as the world’s largest sea turtle rookery. The widespread arrests by the Forest department have instilled panic within the marine fishing community, forcing many fishermen to anchor their boats in fishing harbours and jetties, disrupting the winter fishing season in the coastal districts of Kendrapara and its surroundings.
Ranjan Mandal, the owner of a trawler, shared the challenges faced by fishermen, citing the arrest of 10 crew members and the seizure of their fishing trawlers, along with 20 quintals of fish. Expressing resentment over the situation, Narayan Haldar, President of Odisha Masyajibi Forum, highlighted the plight of fishing vessel owners and crew members due to the ongoing arrests and vessel seizures.
The predicament has intensified for around 30,000 marine fishermen in the district and neighboring areas following the imposition of a seven-month fishing ban from November 1 to May 31 within the Gahirmatha marine sanctuary. The ban is aimed at safeguarding Olive Ridley sea turtles, as explained by Prasanna Behera, the secretary of Odisha Traditional Fish Workers’ Union.
Ajaya Mandal from Kharinashi village emphasized the dependency of daily earnings on the sea for many fishermen. The turbulent conditions at the Mahanadi river mouth near the port town Paradip have made navigation challenging, especially for seasoned fishermen who use the sea route within the marine sanctuary to return. Mandal emphasized that they never fish in sanctuary areas but urged forest officials to provide a way in the sea for them to venture into and return safely.
In response, Pradosh Maharana, the Forest Range Officer of Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary, clarified that fishermen are explicitly instructed not to fish within 20 km of the sanctuary. Forest guards have been deployed to apprehend those who enter the marine sanctuary areas. Maharana asserted that fishermen have the right to fish in other sea areas but not in the restricted sanctuary zones.