News
Environmental Supervision Department Detects 412 Cases of Illegal Fishing in Eight Months
As part of efforts to combat poaching, employees of the Department of Environmental Supervision of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture identified 412 cases of violations of fishing regulations and illegal fishing between January 1 and August 31, 2026. Of these, 213 cases contained elements of a criminal offense. The relevant materials were forwarded to the appropriate authorities for further action.
In total, approximately 440 kg of illegally caught fish were seized.
The highest number of cases, 88, was identified within the area of operation of the Imereti Regional Division. A total of 82 cases were recorded in Mtskheta-Mtianeti, 51 in Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti, 49 in Kvemo Kartli, and 41 within the area of operation of the Kakheti Regional Division. Employees of the Black Sea Protection Convention Division identified 34 cases, while 20 cases were recorded in Shida Kartli, 14 in Guria, 10 in Adjara, and 10 within the area of operation of the Samtskhe-Javakheti Regional Division.
Violations were also identified in the capital. During the first eight months of this year, employees of the Department identified 13 cases of violations of fishing regulations and illegal fishing in Tbilisi.
Poachers frequently used illegal fishing equipment, such as gillnets and electric fishing devices. During the first eight months of this year, employees of the Department seized 218 gillnets and 24 electric fishing devices.
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).
