8 arrested on charges of illegal fishing – The Times of India

Report on Enforcement Action in Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary in Support of Sustainable Development Goals

Incident Summary

On Saturday, an enforcement action was undertaken by forest officials within the Gahirmatha marine sanctuary, a designated protected area. The operation targeted illegal fishing activities, which directly contravene national conservation laws and undermine global sustainability objectives.

• Violation: Illegal fishing within a protected marine sanctuary.
• Apprehensions: Eight marine fishermen were arrested.
• Location: Gahirmatha marine sanctuary, within the prohibited 20km zone from the coastline.
• Seized Items:
  • Seven trawling nets
  • 25kg of fish
  • One GPS unit
  • Two VHF communication devices

Legal and Enforcement Actions

The arrested individuals were processed through the legal system, demonstrating the enforcement of environmental regulations. This action highlights the institutional capacity to uphold conservation mandates.

• Governing Legislation: The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
• Specific Charges: Violations under Sections 27, 29, and 31 of the Act.
• Judicial Outcome: The arrested fishermen were produced in court at Rajnagar, where their bail applications were rejected, and they were subsequently remanded in judicial custody.

The arrested individuals were identified as:

1. Narendra Majhi
2. Purosotam Jena
3. Bimbadhar Majhi
4. Bharat Jena
5. Rajesh Khatua
6. Ajay Majhi
7. Dushashan Tarei
8. Nandu Singh

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water

This enforcement action is a critical measure in advancing SDG 14, which aims to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development. The operation directly contributes to several key targets.

• Target 14.4 (End Illegal Fishing): The arrest and seizure directly combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing. By enforcing the ban, authorities work to regulate harvesting, end destructive fishing practices, and help restore fish stocks within this vital marine ecosystem.
• Target 14.2 (Protect Marine Ecosystems): The action serves to sustainably manage and protect the Gahirmatha marine sanctuary. Upholding the sanctuary’s protected status is essential for strengthening its resilience and avoiding adverse impacts on its unique biodiversity.
• Target 14.5 (Conserve Coastal and Marine Areas): The operation reinforces the conservation of a significant marine protected area (1435 sqkm). This is consistent with national and international commitments to conserve at least 10 percent of coastal and marine areas.

Broader SDG Implications

Beyond SDG 14, this incident also relates to other interconnected Sustainable Development Goals.

• SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions): The coordinated action by forest officials and the subsequent judicial process exemplify the functioning of strong institutions. Enforcing environmental laws and ensuring access to justice are fundamental to promoting the rule of law.
• SDG 15 (Life on Land): While focused on a marine environment, the enforcement of the Wildlife Protection Act underscores a holistic approach to biodiversity conservation, linking the protection of marine life with broader national strategies for preserving all ecosystems.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   • SDG 14: Life Below Water

     This is the most prominent SDG addressed. The article focuses on the arrest of fishermen for illegal fishing within the Gahirmatha marine sanctuary. This action directly relates to the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources, which is the core objective of SDG 14.

   • SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

     The article details the enforcement of environmental laws. The forest officials’ actions, the booking of fishermen under the “Wildlife Protection Act, 1972,” and their subsequent appearance in court where bail was denied, all demonstrate the functioning of legal and judicial institutions to uphold the rule of law, which is a key aspect of SDG 16.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   • Target 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts.

     The existence of the “Gahirmatha marine sanctuary” and the active enforcement of rules within it, such as prohibiting fishing “within 20km from coastline,” are direct actions to protect a marine ecosystem as stipulated by this target.

   • Target 14.4: By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and destructive fishing practices.

     The central theme of the article is the arrest of fishermen for “illegally fishing.” The seizure of “seven trawling nets” also points to the regulation of destructive fishing practices. This enforcement action is a clear effort to combat IUU fishing.

   • Target 14.5: By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law.

     The article explicitly mentions the sanctuary’s protected area, “covering 1435 sqkm in the sea from Hukitola to Dhamara.” This quantifies the area being conserved, directly aligning with the goal of this target.

   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.

     The article provides a clear example of the rule of law in action. The fishermen were “booked under Sections 27, 29 and 31 of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972,” “produced in court,” and “remanded in judicial custody,” illustrating a functioning legal process for environmental crimes.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   • Indicator 14.4.1: Proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels.

     While the article does not provide data on fish stock levels, the enforcement against illegal fishing is a primary action taken to maintain or restore them. The seizure of “25kg of fish” is a micro-level indicator of the illegal catch being prevented from impacting fish stocks.

   • Indicator 14.5.1: Coverage of protected areas in relation to marine areas.

     The article directly provides a data point for this indicator by stating the size of the protected area: “1435 sqkm.” This figure can be used to measure the extent of marine area conservation.

   • Implied Indicator for Target 16.3: Number of legal actions or prosecutions related to environmental laws.

     The article’s detailed account of the arrest of eight fishermen and their processing through the judicial system serves as a qualitative and quantitative (8 arrests, 1 case) indicator of the enforcement of the “Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.”

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article. In this table, list the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), their corresponding targets, and the specific indicators identified in the article.

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators (Mentioned or Implied in the Article)
   SDG 14: Life Below Water	14.2: Sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems.	Existence and enforcement of rules within the Gahirmatha marine sanctuary.
   SDG 14: Life Below Water	14.4: End illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices.	Arrest of 8 fishermen for illegal fishing; seizure of trawling nets and 25kg of fish.
   SDG 14: Life Below Water	14.5: Conserve at least 10% of coastal and marine areas.	Indicator 14.5.1: The article specifies the coverage of the protected area as “1435 sqkm.”
   SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions	16.3: Promote the rule of law and ensure equal access to justice.	Fishermen booked under the “Wildlife Protection Act, 1972,” produced in court, and remanded in custody.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com