Dusheti Municipality, Georgia: The Employees of the Mtskheta-Mtianeti Regional Authority of the Environmental Supervision Department of the Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture have revealed the fact of illegal fishing on the Xan River near the village of Odzisi in Dusheti municipality.
This was done in the framework of the fight against poaching. Poachers often used illegal fishing tools such as fishing nets, electric shock devices, and others.
Prohibited fishing means and illegally obtained different types of fish, up to 2 kilograms, were seized. Tape fishing involves criminal responsibility. Because these facts contain signs of criminal offenses, materials were sent to the appropriate authorities for further response.
Notably, electric weapons are a threat to human life and health; manufacturing, purchase, storage, carrying, transport, shipping, transfer, or keying electric weapons is punishable by law.
Fighting against poaching is a priority for the Department of Environmental Supervision. During the current year, department officials have identified 488 cases of illegal fishing.
The Environmental Supervision Department conducts regular inspections and patrols to prevent and combat illegal fishing activities in the country’s freshwater and marine areas.
It is to be added that the Department of Environmental Supervision crews carry out continuous 24-hour patrolling throughout the country to prevent and detect illegal forestry, poaching, fishing, and other environmental violations promptly. In addition, an immediate response is given to each message received on the hotline (153) of the Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture.
Illegal fishing is a serious problem that threatens the biodiversity and sustainability of the aquatic resources in Georgia. The department urges citizens of the country to consider that fishing is prohibited with means such as electrodes, electric shock devices, self-made electronic tools, firearms, netting, etc.
