News
Illegal Fishing Incident Detected in Imereti
Officers of the Western Regional Division of the Department of Environmental Supervision under the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture identified a poaching incident in Kharagauli Municipality.
A citizen was engaged in illegal fishing in the village of Vardzia, on the Borimela River, using a homemade electric fishing device.
Fishing using an electric device is a criminal offense, and therefore the case materials were forwarded to the relevant authorities for further response.
Electric fishing devices pose a threat to human life and health. The manufacture, purchase, possession, carrying, transport, shipment, or sale of such devices is punishable by law.
According to Article 300 of the Criminal Code, illegal fishing using an electric device or any other prohibited means is punishable by community service for a term of 320 to 400 hours and/or imprisonment for a term of 2 to 4 years.
Combating poaching is one of the main priorities of the Department of Environmental Supervision. The patrol crews of the Department of Environmental Supervision conduct continuous 24-hour monitoring nationwide to ensure the timely prevention, detection, and suppression of illegal fishing, hunting, and other environmental violations. In addition, they provide immediate responses to all reports received through the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture’s hotline (153).
