Prohibition on the fishing of wels catfish

The Verkhnedvinsk Inter-district Inspectorate for the Protection of Fauna and Flora reports that, based on the Rules of Amateur Fishing and the Rules of Fishery Management approved by Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus of July 21, 2021, No. 284 "On Fishing and Fishery," the fishing of common catfish is prohibited from May 31 to July 1, 2026. In the Brest and Gomel regions, this prohibition is in effect from May 19 to June 19, 2026. Any common catfish caught must be released back into the water body alive and unharmed. Administrative penalties for illegal catching of common catfish include a fine ranging from 10 to 30 base units. Furthermore, for each caught common catfish during the prohibition period, the environmental damage caused is calculated at a triple rate and amounts to 12 base units (540 rubles). The Verkhnedvinsk Inter-district Inspectorate for the Protection of Fauna and Flora reminds that currently, in the Vitebsk region, the spring spawning ban is in effect from April 10, 2026, to June 8, 2026. During this period, the State Inspectorate for the Protection of Fauna and Flora under the President of the Republic of Belarus conducts a special comprehensive event "Spawning," during which all possible efforts are made to ensure favorable conditions for fish populations for reproduction and continuous renewal. One of the most important tasks is to prevent violations of environmental legislation and to prevent poaching fishing gear from entering water bodies. To this end, large-scale preventive work is being carried out. Special attention is paid to the storage and use of prohibited fishing gear. The storage of such gear entails administrative responsibility under Article 16.26 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Belarus, the sanctions of which for individuals provide for a fine of up to 30 base units with confiscation of the object of the administrative offense. An individual who voluntarily surrenders prohibited fishing gear (nets, traps, etc.) is exempt from administrative responsibility. For additional information or to report instances of poaching, please contact the Verkhnedvinsk Inter-district Inspectorate for the Protection of Fauna and Flora at the following address: Verkhnedvinsk, Sovetskaya Street, building 193/2, or by calling the inspectorate's hotline at 6 17 23.