Employees of the Kakheti Regional Division of the Department of Environmental Supervision under the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia identified a case of illegal fishing in Akhmeta Municipality.

Near the village of Matani, in the Kurtanadzeuli River, an individual illegally caught various fish species using an electrofishing device, including the Red List-protected trout.

Fishing with an electrofishing device constitutes a criminal offence. Accordingly, an investigation into the incident has been launched by the Akhmeta District Police Division of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Electric fishing devices pose a threat to human life and health. The manufacture, purchase, possession, carrying, transport, shipment, or sale of such devices is punishable by law.

Combating poaching remains a top priority for the Environmental Supervision Department. The patrol crews of the Department of Environmental Supervision conduct continuous 24-hour monitoring nationwide to ensure the timely prevention, detection, and suppression of illegal fishing, hunting, and other environmental violations. In addition, they provide immediate responses to all reports received through the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture’s hotline (153).