Georgia: Government approves amendment on administrative offences and weapons

In a significant meeting held on Monday the Government of Georgia approved the amendment of law. These amendment relates to the Administrative offences Code as well as illegal weapons. These amendments will regulate the use of firing guns along with other things.

It is to be specifically mentioned that the official of the Ministry of Environment and Agriculture prepared the Draft amendment. It will provide more strict regulation of fishing guns and will fix violating established rules.

Otar Shamugia, Minister of Environment Protection and Agriculture, while commenting on amendments to the “Administrative Offenses Code” and “Weapons” law of Georgia after the government session held today stated that

“According to a law passed by Parliament of Georgia illegal fishing with a taser will be punishable with strict punishment. The Department of Environmental supervision has some challenges with enforcement because according to the current regulation it is necessary to confirm a taser fishing spot, which is a certain challenge for agencies. As a result, the government has decided that poaching the illegal fishing weapon – electric shock device is punishable, and in this direction, there is a penalty with confiscation of weapons as well”. Minster added.

The minister also said that Fighting poaching and developing an adequate legal responsibility system for unlawful activities is an integral part of the country’s biodiversity protection policy, and the government is determined to protect biodiversity at any cost.

It is to be noted that catching fish using a self-made electric shock device is big problem which damages the environment and at the same time poses a serious threat to both human life and health as well as to water biodiversity.

Notably the Current legislation of the Country already defines prohibited fishing weapons and methods, but it was felt by experts that additional regulations were required.

According to existing laws, a person is liable if he is found guilty of illegal fishing. On the other hand, services, manufacturing, and transporting a self-made electric shock device were not considered illegal which created serious problems in the fight against poaching of the regulatory body.

According to the new legislative changes Any unlawful purchase, storage, driving, transmission or disruption of a fish trawler electric shock device will lead to a fine of 1000 GEL; it will also lead to confiscation of a weapon and, in case of repetition, will lead to a penalty of 2000 GEL, along with confiscation of weapons.

The amendment also provides that Manufacturing of fishing electric weapons, purchase, storage, carry, transport-transport, shipping, will lead to a fine of 3000 GEL with confiscation of weapons of offence, and in case of repetition, will lead to a penalty of 6000 GEL with the confiscation of a weapon of offence.

The new changes will also allow for tightening controls and preventing illegal fishing. They will also provide more powers to both the Department of Environmental Oversight and the Patrol Police.

The Minister stated that the protection of flora and fauna is part of the many initiatives that are being implemented in the direction of climate change.