Georgia: Employees of the Environmental Supervision Department of the Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture identified 11 facts of illegal fishing in the fight against poaching.
In the city of Poti, on the river Kaparchina, citizens caught an electric shock device from an illegal fishing motor boat. They were using a staircase. Violators illegally obtained up to 27 kg of mullet fish. Electric shock devices were used by citizens in Ambrolauri municipality, village Kvishari, river Rioni, and near village Rboni of Khashuri municipality, while illegal fishing was done in Mtkvari river. In Lagodekhi municipality, on the Kabal River, violators seized about 1 kilogram of different types of fish by prohibited means – e. .. Acquired using a pacemaker.
In Tkibuli municipality on the river Tskaltsitela, in Garabani municipality on the river Mtkvari, in the municipality of Tskaltubo—on the rivers Gubisshali and Rioni, near Mtskheta-Narekavi, on the river Aragvi, in the municipality of Iori, in Tianeti on the river, the employees of the Department of Environmental Supervision caught illegal fishing—a house on the annexes and annexed nets. Seven facts about fish have been studied.
The department urges citizens to take into account that fishing is prohibited with means such as electrodes, electric shock devices, self-made electronic tools, firearms, netting, etc. Screen nets, drinking nets, other non-sport fishing nets-weapons, explosive or toxic substances of any kind. Also, fishing in inland reservoirs uses chase and precaution, using fishing and fishing.
According to the Code of Administrative Offenses, different fines apply to the fishing equipment used during illegal fishing and the amount of fish obtained. It is also essential to know what places and during what period fishing is occurring. Fines range from 120 GEL to 3000 GEL. At the same time, the violator of the law will confiscate the obtained fish and fishing weapons. In the case of fishing using electrodes, tasers, explosives, poisonous substances, or any other means of mass destruction of fish, the person is liable to criminal justice. In the period of queerism (from May 1 to August 31), even in the case of illegal fishing, there is a criminal responsibility.
It is worth noting that in July this year, 155 facts of illegal fishing were revealed. Among them, 64 felony charges were filed. In January-July of 2024, department officials cited 494 cases of fishing violations, including 206 criminal charges, and the materials were transferred to appropriate authorities.
Crews from the Department of Environmental Protection are carrying out 24-hour nonstop patrolling across the country to prevent and detect illegal forestry, poaching, fishing, and other environmental violations promptly. In addition, an immediate response is made to each message received on the Ministry of Environment and Agriculture’s hotline (153).
