Paradip, Dec. 4: As part of its drive to conserve aquatic species, coast guard has launched Operation Oliver to prevent illegal fishing and embarked on its annual mission to ensure a safe mid-sea sojourn for breeding olive ridley turtles.

"The state government agencies had sought our services in the turtle conservation programme. Accordingly, we have undertaken an operation to keep watch on illegal fishing along the turtle concentration zone," said coast guard deputy commandant, Paradip, V. Vijay.

The coast guard has drafted an improvised ship and a Dornier aircraft to keep a tab on illegal fishing in Gahirmatha marine sanctuary. "We do it every year to ensure safety of these rare animals. The surveillance on trespassing sea-worthy trawlers is in full swing as turtles perish in large numbers after getting hit by the propellers. Besides, breeding animals get entangled in fishing nets and are asphyxiated to death," said a coast guard personnel.

The turtles have already begun arriving at the conservation zone en masse for mating and an aircraft has been pressed into service for easy interception of trawlers along the marine sanctuary.

"The coast guard is always on alert for trespassing vessels. The patrol vessels engaged by forest and fisheries departments often seek our assistance in the event of exigencies. We are carrying out the operation in a co-ordinated manner," he said.

"We are ready to help forest and fisheries departments for safety of these delicate marine species," an official said.

A state-of-the-art ship is maintaining vigil along the shoreline.