15 held for fishing near famous turtle nesting site
By IANSMonday, January 25, 2010
BHUBANESWAR - At least 15 fishermen were arrested for fishing in the prohibited area of a world famous turtle nesting site in Orissa, official said Monday.
The fishermen were fishing at the Gahirmatha marine sanctuary, where at least 700,000-800,000 endangered Olive Ridley turtles come every winter for mass nesting, in the coastal district of Kendrapada, 175 km from here.
“We arrested them Sunday and seized three boats they used in fishing,” Divisional Forest Officer P.K Behera told IANS.
“Thousands of turtles have already arrived for mating. We have spotted them in the sea water near the coast,” Behera said, adding that the turtles are expected to climb ashore next month for mass nesting.
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