PARADIP: Use of cellphones and VHF sets by crew members of boats and trawlers has posed a serious threat to endangered Olive Ridley turtles. Raids by Coast Guard, Forest and Fisheries officials to check illegal fishing are also proving infructuous as the fishermen are getting tipped off through the gadgets. Reports said thousands of turtles have been killed in Gahirmatha sanctuary, Devi and Rusikulya river mouths due to illegal fishing. Though flying squads have been pressed into service for protection of turtles, the efforts have proved futile due to wanton use of cellphones and VHF sets by fishermen, said conservationists. Even though the Forest Department has banned fishing within 20 km radius of the coast, illegal fishing is unabated in the prohibited zone due to lack of surveillance. Gahirmatha sanctuary, touted as one of the largest rookeries of Olive Ridleys, has turned into the biggest graveyard of the endangered marine species in recent years due to unbridled illegal fishing, said a villager. Over 40,000 turtles have died in the past five years either mangled by fishing trawlers or suffocated by fishing nets. This despite Olive Ridleys being listed under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Locals said some unscrupulous officials are hand in glove with fishermen and they are passing on prior information about raids through cellphones and VHF sets. Forest Ranger, Kujang, Sauvagya Sahoo said at least 10 trawlers were found catching fish illegally in prohibited areas last week but they managed to give the raiding parties the slip after being tipped off by fellow fishermen. Official sources said last year flying squads seized more than 40 trawlers and arrested 135 crew members for illegally fishing in the prohibited areas. This year only 30 trawlers and boats were seized and 50 crew members arrested. Assistant Director, Fisheries (Marine), Kujang, Pratap Ranjan Rout admitted trawler operators are getting prior information about raids. He said steps are being taken to curb the use of cellphones and VHF sets by fishermen.