Goldfish

October 1, 2024

The public danger of illegal fishing or other aquatic animal harvesting lies in the fact that uncontrolled fishing, carried out in violation of existing fishing rules, ultimately leads to the depletion of aquatic biological resources.

As a general rule, amateur fishing is permitted in fishing grounds, which is carried out by anglers for a fee or free of charge.

Many citizens, some for interest, some for recreation, are fond of fishing. For some, it is a hobby and a serious passion, and for others, simply a good pastime.

However, many forget that fishing is prohibited at certain times of the year, in certain places, as is the harvesting of fish using fishing gear whose operating principles are based on the use of electromagnetic fields, ultrasound, or by explosion. Such harvesting is illegal as it causes significant harm to the environment.

In order to protect the environment, the legislator has introduced criminal liability for illegal fishing. This refers to liability for illegal fishing that has caused damage in a particularly large amount.

According to Part 4 of Article 281 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus, illegal fishing that has caused damage in a particularly large amount is punishable by imprisonment for up to six years with a fine.

Citizens do not always think about the possible consequences, believing that their unlawful actions will go unnoticed.

Thus, in September of the current year, the prosecutor's office of the Glubokoe district supported the state prosecution against a resident of the Polotsk district, P., who committed these actions, causing damage in a particularly large amount, i.e., a crime provided for by Part 4 of Article 281 of the Criminal Code.

During the court investigation, it was established that on April 18, 2024, the accused illegally harvested 153 fish using a prohibited method, with a prohibited fishing gear (nets), thereby causing damage to the environment in a particularly large amount totaling 18,360 rubles.

A guilty verdict was rendered against the aforementioned citizen by the court, and he was subjected to punishment in the form of restriction of liberty for a term of 2 years with referral to an correctional facility.

an open-type institution with a fine of 100 base units, amounting to 4,000 rubles. The environmental damage caused, in the amount of 18,360 rubles, was also recovered from it. The sentence has entered into legal force.

          Thus, those who are looking for "easy ways" to catch fish, or wish to try their hand at illegal fishing, should consider the possible consequences of such actions.

 

Assistant Prosecutor

Gluboksky District                                                                A.N. Kurilenok

 

Agreed:

 

Prosecutor of Gluboksky District                                             V.M. Dailidenok