A ban on pike fishing will be introduced in the Vitebsk region from March 9 to April 25.
A ban on pike fishing will be introduced in the Vitebsk region from March 9 to April 25. The protective measures are related to the start of spawning for this species. Pike spawn earlier than other spring-spawning fish, as they are less demanding regarding water temperature. The freshwater predator is very important for the balance of the ichthyofauna – it acts as a regulator of the fish population. The destruction of low-value fry, sick and weakened fish by pike contributes to the better growth of valuable species and the improvement of their populations.
If a pike is caught during the ban period, according to current legislation, the fish must be released back into the fishing grounds alive. Catching pike during the spawning ban entails serious responsibility. For each illegally caught individual, triple damages will be recovered – 9 base units (261 rubles). The offender may also be fined up to 30 base units, in accordance with Article 16.25 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the Republic of Belarus (effective from March 1, 2021). Causing damage amounting to 100 or more base units entails criminal liability under Article 281 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus and even more severe sanctions.