Ten fishermen held, vessels seized off Orissa coast

In a mid-sea crackdown, ten fishermen were arrested and a couple of mechanized boats used by them seized from prohibited Gahirmatha marine sanctuary limits off Orissa coast.
 
The fishing vessels besides the fish catch were seized yesterday and the crew who were from Kendrapara and Paradip areas were arrested under marine fishing regulation act, officials said.
 
With the latest interception yesterday, the number of marine fishermen held on charge of unlawful fishing has gone up to 80 since clamping of fishing ban on November 1 last in view of ongoing turtle breeding and nesting season, they said.
 
Altogether 22 sea-worthy vessels intercepted for unlawful fishing were also seized during this period, forest officials said.
 
As many as 212 marine fishermen were arrested and 84 trawlers and vessels were seized during the ban clamped last year as vessels defied the OMFRA provisions and indulged in fishing along the prohibited water zones.