The Lepel Inter-district Inspectorate for the Protection of Fauna and Flora reminds that, in accordance with the Code of Administrative Offences, specifically Part 1 of Article 15.35, the extraction of fish or other aquatic animals without a proper permit, or during prohibited times and seasons, or in prohibited areas, or with prohibited gear, or by prohibited methods, as well as an attempt at such extraction, shall incur a fine of 20 to 50 basic units.
The Lepel Inter-district Inspectorate for the Protection of Fauna and Flora reminds that, in accordance with the Code of Administrative Offences, specifically Part 1 of Article 15.35, the extraction of fish or other aquatic animals without a proper permit, or during prohibited times and seasons, or in prohibited areas, or with prohibited gear, or by prohibited methods, as well as an attempt at such extraction, shall incur a fine of 20 to 50 basic units.
However, such substantial fines do not deter some of our citizens from attempting to illegally extract fish. Here are a few examples.
Thus, an unemployed resident of the village of Zhezhlin was extracting fish using nets on Lake Zhezhlin. At the moment of coming ashore with nets and fish, he was detained by the inspectorate officers, and an administrative report was drawn up. Two fishing nets and fish were confiscated from the citizen. By the decision of the Lepel District Court, a fine of 3,960,000 Belarusian rubles was levied on this citizen, along with compensation for damages and the cost of fish amounting to 1,953,000 Belarusian rubles.
An unemployed resident of the settlement of Borovka decided to go fishing, but instead of fishing rods, he used fishing nets which he had previously set on Lake Bobritsa. At the moment of leaving the lake, he was detained by the inspectorate officers. Fish and six fishing nets were confiscated. By the decision of the Lepel District Court, a fine of 3,960,000 Belarusian rubles and damages amounting to 590,000 Belarusian rubles were imposed on this citizen.
Two unemployed citizens, both residents of the village of Matyrino, were extracting fish using nets on Lake Matyrino, for which they were detained by the inspectorate employees. They were found with a fishing net and fish. By the decision of the Lepel District Court, an administrative penalty of 3,780,000 Belarusian rubles was imposed on each of these citizens, and joint damages of 2,520,000 Belarusian rubles were also recovered.
Even with last year's basic unit, the fines were substantial. And since January 1, 2016, the basic unit has increased (to 210,000 Belarusian rubles), and consequently, the fine amounts have also increased.
We would also like to remind you that spring is coming soon. On March 9, a ban on pike fishing will begin and will last until April 25. On April 10, a general ban on catching all types of fish will start and will last until June 8 inclusive. It should be noted that fish caught during the prohibited period using prohibited methods will be charged at triple the rate for each individual. If the amount of damage is 100 or more basic units, the citizen will be held criminally liable under Part 1 of Article 281 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus.