Illegal fishing

On May 2, 2024, employees of the Verkhnedvinsk Inter-district Inspectorate for the Protection of Fauna and Flora, during field activities on Lake Neshchardo near the village of Gorbachevo, Rossony District, detained two unemployed local residents (their full names and addresses are not disclosed in the interests of the investigation). Together, during the spring spawning period (in the Vitebsk region from April 10 to June 8, 2024), they illegally caught fish using a boat and four fishing nets. They illegally harvested 29 individuals of various fish species, with a total weight of over 18 kg.

The amount of damage caused to the environment amounted to 267 basic units, totaling 10,680 rubles.

Regarding this fact, the Rossony District Department of the Investigative Committee is considering the issue of initiating a criminal case under Part 4 of Article 281 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus.

The violator had the following confiscated: nets, an aluminum boat, and fish. An investigation is underway.

It should be noted that according to current legislation, during the spring ban on fishing for all types of fish, the damage caused to the environment is calculated at three times the amount for each species of fish, regardless of its weight.

During the spawning period, the State Inspectorate for the Protection of Fauna and Flora under the President of the Republic of Belarus conducts a special comprehensive event "Spawning," aimed at ensuring favorable conditions for fish reproduction.

Special attention is paid to the storage and use of prohibited fishing gear. The storage of such gear entails administrative liability under Article 16.26 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Belarus, the sanctions of which for individuals provide for a fine of up to 30 basic units with confiscation of the object of the administrative offense.

An individual who voluntarily surrenders prohibited fishing gear is exempt from administrative liability.

For additional information or to report instances of poaching, please contact the Verkhnedvinsk Inter-district Inspectorate for the Protection of Fauna and Flora at the following address: Verkhnedvinsk, Sovetskaya St., bldg. 193/2, or by calling the inspectorate's "hotline" at 6-17-23.