Odisha forest officials have seized two fishing trawlers from Andhra Pradesh for alleged illegal fishing near the Rushikulya river mouth in Ganjam district, violating the seasonal ban, an official said Friday.

The trawlers, containing over 70 kg of fish were seized, and eight fishermen were handed over to the Marine Fisheries Department, he said.

To protect the endangered Olive Ridley turtles during their breeding and mating season, the state government has imposed a seven-month ban on sea fishing within 20 km of the coast at the Rushikulya, Dhamra and Devi river mouths from November 1 to May 31.

During joint patrolling by forest staff, police and fishery personnel, the Andhra Pradesh fishermen were found operating in the prohibited zone, said Dibya Shankar Behera, Assistant Conservator

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