News
The Department of Environmental Supervision Identified 281 Cases of Illegal Fishing in the First Six Months of the Year
As part of anti-poaching efforts, officers of the Department of Environmental Supervision under the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture identified 281 cases of illegal fishing and violations of fishing regulations between 1 January and 30 June 2026. Of these, 131 cases contain signs of criminal offences, and the case materials have been forwarded to the relevant authorities for further action.
In total, more than 268 kg of fish were harvested illegally.
The highest number of violations - 66 cases was identified within the area of responsibility of the Western Regional Division. A total of 46 cases were recorded in Mtskheta-Mtianeti, 40 in Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti, 37 in Kakheti, 22 in Kvemo Kartli, 18 within the area of responsibility of the Adjara and Guria Regional Division, 5 in Shida Kartli, and 4 in Samtskhe-Javakheti. In addition, 36 cases were identified by the officers of the Black Sea Protection Convention Division.
Violations were also identified in the capital city. During the first six months of the current year, officers of the Department identified 7 cases of violations of fishing regulations and illegal fishing in Tbilisi.
In many cases, poachers used illegal fishing equipment, such as gillnets and electric fishing devices.
Alongside the detection and prevention of illegal fishing activities, prevention remains a priority for the Department of Environmental Supervision. In this regard, intensive preventive measures are planned, particularly in locations where poaching cases have been relatively frequent in recent years. As a result of preventive activities carried out during the first six months of the current year, more than 3,500 metres of gillnets and up to 65 fish traps were removed.
The patrol crews of the Department of Environmental Supervision conduct continuous 24-hour monitoring nationwide to ensure the timely prevention, detection, and suppression of environmental violations. At the same time, an immediate response is provided to every report received through the Ministry's hotline (153).
