Illegal Fishing Results in Significant Damage to State
A man engaged in illegal fishing has reportedly caused damages exceeding 650 thousand hryvnias. He faces up to three years of imprisonment.
This morning, during a joint patrol near the village of Kalagliya, officers from the Odesa District Police's Water Police Sector, along with border guards, apprehended a 24-year-old resident of the Ovidiopol community who was using prohibited fishing gear. He did not possess any permits for fishing activities.
A detective team was called to the scene, where they seized from the offender a fishing suit, two nets totaling 200 meters in length, and 287 fish weighing a total of 180 kilograms, including: herring, carp, bream, crucian carp, perch, rudd, flatfish, and asp. All seized items were transferred to a specialized organization for safekeeping.
According to preliminary estimates, the fisherman inflicted damages on the state amounting to over 650 thousand hryvnias.
The police have initiated criminal proceedings under part 1 of Article 249 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine regarding illegal fishing that caused substantial harm. A forensic environmental examination has been ordered to determine the exact amount of damages. After the necessary investigative actions and obtaining expert conclusions, a decision will be made regarding the suspect. He faces up to three years of imprisonment.
The investigation is ongoing under the supervision of the Black Sea District Prosecutor's Office.
Police urge citizens to be responsible, adhere to existing laws, and protect nature.
Reminder: Since April, a seasonal ban on the catch of aquatic bioresources has been in effect in the Odesa region, lasting until July 31 in the Dniester estuary (the ban does not apply to specialized herring fishing).
