The blasts were carried out in the sea near the Ajar islands in Jamnagar to excavate vessels that had drowned nearly four decades ago.

Atul Somaiya, a resident of Khambhaliya town in Jamnagar, and Aswin Vandariya, a resident of Porbandar were arrested under provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972.

Both were produced before the judicial magistrate first class court, Dwarka, which granted them bail, said sources in the Forest Department.

P H Sata, the Deputy Conservator of Forests, Marine National Park, said, “The arrests were made after detailed investigations into the matter.”

Sata said foresters had recovered three carcasses of green sea turtle and one of a dolphin. They had also recorded the statements of fishermen. According to these statements, the fishermen had spotted nearly 25 carcasses of turtles floating in the sea.

Porbander-based Lalji Devji Vandariya & Company had borrowed the rights from the Okha port office to excavate the wreckages of vessels at a cost of Rs 45.58 lakh.

Sata added: “The company has also violated the Environment (Protection) Act 1986. We have sought permission from higher authorities to file a separate case against them under this act also.”