Offenders face up to three years of imprisonment. On November 26, during a joint raid, the water police of Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi, along with border guards and representatives of the environmental inspection, discovered two local residents engaged in illegal fishing with prohibited gear at Lake Alibei, near the village of Vesela Balka in the Odesa region.
The offenders did not possess any permits for fishing. The investigative team confiscated a 50-meter fishing net, two waders, two fish baskets, and 98 fish – mullets and flounders.
As part of the initiated criminal proceedings, the illegal catch has been transferred to a specialized enterprise for storage.
“We have recorded the incident under part 1 of Article 249 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine regarding illegal fishing that caused significant harm. An examination has been appointed to determine the exact amount of damage to the state,” said the head of police station No. 2, Eduard Kolomiiets.
The investigation is ongoing under the procedural guidance of the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi District Prosecutor's Office.
The police urge citizens to be responsible, protect nature, and adhere to established fishing rules.