Illegal fishing!

On May 25, 2024, employees of the Verkhnedvinsk Inter-district Inspectorate for the Protection of Fauna and Flora, together with employees of the Bigosovo border post, during field activities on Lake Chornoye near the village of Yulyanovo, Verkhnedvinsk district, detained an unemployed local resident (his full name and address are not disclosed in the interest of the investigation). During the spring spawning period (in the Vitebsk region from April 10 to June 8, 2024), he illegally caught fish using a boat and two fishing nets. He illegally caught 11 fish of various species, with a total weight of over 6 kg.

The amount of damage caused to the environment amounted to 144 base units, totaling 5,760 rubles.

Based on this fact, the Verkhnedvinsk Investigative Committee is considering the issue of initiating a criminal case under Part 2 of Article 281 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus.

The offender had his nets, wooden boat, and fish seized. 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 triple 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 base units with confiscation of the object of the administrative offense.

A person who voluntarily surrenders prohibited fishing gear is exempt from administrative liability.

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