Forest personnel today took into custody six sea-going fishermen on the charge of unlawful fishing activity along the Gahirmatha marine sanctuary in Odisha's Kendrapara district.
The interception occurred close to Babuballi Island, a preferred nesting ground of Olive Ridley sea turtles, forest officials said.
The fishing vessel had trespassed into prohibited sanctuary corridors contravening the provisions of Wildlife Protection Act, Orissa Marine Fishing Regulation Act and rules of the marine sanctuary.
The state government has banned fishing in the area in view of the safety of the Olive Ridley turtles.
The arrested crew of the fishing vessel was later remanded in jail custody under the section-27 and 29 of the provisions of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and Orissa Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1982, said the officials.
