Officers from the Environmental Patrolling and Rapid Response Service of the Environmental Supervision Department, under the Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture, have uncovered an illegal fishing incident in Kvemo Ponichala.

According to the Environmental Supervision Department, citizens were illegally fishing on the Mtkvari River from an inflatable boat using an electrofishing device.

“The poachers had illegally caught 64 kilograms of various fish species. Fishing with electrofishing equipment is a criminal offence; therefore, the case materials have been forwarded to the relevant agency for further action.

Electrofishing devices also pose a threat to human life and health. The manufacture, purchase, storage, carrying, movement, transportation, shipping, or sale of such equipment is an offence punishable by law.
Environmental Supervision Department crews conduct continuous, 24-hour patrols nationwide to ensure the timely prevention, suppression, and detection of illegal fishing, hunting, and other environmental violations. Furthermore, an immediate response is given to every notification received via the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture’s hotline (153).

In recent years, an increased rate of detection has been recorded regarding illegal fishing, which is a direct result of enhanced enforcement capabilities,” the statement reads.