News
The Department of Environmental Supervision Identified a Case of Poaching in Shida Kartli
Employees of the Shida Kartli Regional Division of the Department of Environmental Supervision of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture identified violations of fishing regulations on the Mtkvari River.
The violations were recorded in the areas adjacent to the villages of Samtsverisi and Tagveri in the Kareli and Khashuri municipalities. The individuals were engaged in fishing using fish traps made from vehicle tires.
As a result of the enforcement action, employees of the Shida Kartli Regional Division seized a total of nine fish traps.
The use of fish traps made from vehicle tires poses a significant threat to biodiversity and aquatic ecosystems. This method facilitates the illegal harvesting of large quantities of fish and increases the risk of non-selective harvesting of fish of different species and sizes. As a result, natural fish populations and their reproductive capacity are adversely affected. In addition, tires left in the riverbed constitute an additional source of waste and pollution.
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). Alongside enhanced controls, modern technologies are also actively employed as part of efforts to combat poaching.
According to data for the first eight months of 2026, employees of the Department identified 412 cases of violations of fishing regulations and illegal fishing across the country. Of these, 20 violations were recorded in Shida Kartli.
