Seven Andhra Pradesh fishermen jailed for illegal fishing inside Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary

Kendrapara, Nov 18 (UNI) Personnel of the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary intercepted an Andhra Pradesh–based fishing vessel and apprehended seven fishermen for illegally fishing inside the no-fishing zone of the sanctuary.

Ranger Kapilendra Pradhan of the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary said the forest team seized two GPS devices, one VHF set, one fish finder, two generators and about 10 quintals of fish from the arrested fishermen.

All the accused hail from Thammayya Palem village under Poosapatirega Police Station in Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh.
According to Pradhan, the forest personnel came across the fishing trawler “Kala-11” in the early hours of Tuesday while it was operating inside the core area of the sanctuary.

The vessel was intercepted, and all seven fishermen were arrested.

They were booked under Sections 9, 27, 29, and 31 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (as amended), punishable under Section 51 of the Act.
The arrested fishermen were later produced before a local court, which sent them to judicial custody.