Olive Ridley turtle hatchlings at Gahirmatha

Paradip, Jan. 29: The turtle protection patrolling drive, which had come to a halt following the mid-sea shootout on January 12 resulting in the death of a seagoing fisherman, resumed today with reinforcement of armed police.

Four sea-worthy patrolling vessels were pressed into service with a contingent of 50 armed policemen to intercept fishing trawls engaged in unlawful fishing activities in Gahirmatha marine sanctuary.

To strengthen patrolling, other agencies, such as Coast Guard, Defence Research and Development Organisation and the marine wing of the state police have also extended support to the mission to ensure safety of Olive Ridley sea turtles.

The mid-sea clash between the patrol teams and trawler operators on January 12 and the subsequent shootout that killed a marine fisherman has left the turtle patrolling teams demoralised. The patrolling exercise has been re-launched with support from various quarters, said divisional forest officer, Rajnagar Mangrove (wildlife) forest division Kedar Kumar Swain.

The department had sought additional armed police reinforcement to reactivate the patrolling exercise along Gahirmatha's principal Olive Ridley turtle congregation zones.

“We have also requisitioned the magistrates to accord sanction to shoot-at-the-sight in the event of exigencies,” the official said.

“The patrol parties were demoralised and panic-stricken as there was apprehension of a possible retaliatory attack from trawler operators. Patrolling has been strengthened with police reinforcements. Besides, Coast Guard vessels have also intensified vigil along the deep sea. The DRDO personnel of the intermediary test range centre at Wheelers' Island have also assured of extending required support to meet with any eventuality,” Swain told The Telegraph.

With patrolling halted for over a fortnight, unlawful trawling operations had shot up in this crucial period ahead of the annual mass nesting, leading to a spurt in net-entanglement mortality of these threatened species.

The number of dead turtles spotted on the shore has gone up because of illegal fishing after sea patrolling was stopped. The forest personnel were feeling unsafe because of the possible threat from trawler operators, said an official.

Every year, the state government clamps a seven-month-long ban on sea fishing in the 20km radius of the sea territory stretching from Dhamara to the Devi river mouth.

In accordance with the Odisha Marine Fisheries Regulatory Act, 1983, the prohibitory orders on sea fishing remain effective from November 1 till May 31.

The legal embargo on fishing remains in force to ensure the safety of breeding turtles who perish in large numbers either by getting entangled in mono-filament fishing nets or by getting hit by propellers of fishing trawls.