Poachers Apprehended in the Danube Biosphere Reserve
On May 22, authorities uncovered illegal fishing activity within the Danube Biosphere Reserve in the Odesa region. The poachers were targeting stellate sturgeon—a species listed in Ukraine’s Red Book of endangered species—during the closed spawning season. The incident took place along an 11-kilometer stretch of the Danube River near the Starostambulskyi estuary. A joint operation involving the State Environmental Inspection of the South-Western District, border guards, and law enforcement officers led to the discovery of the unlawful catch.
During the raid, officials found two specimens of stellate sturgeon, which is protected under Ukraine’s Red Book, along with three specimens of wild carp. All fish were alive at the time of inspection. In accordance with Article 63 of Ukraine’s Law on the Animal Kingdom, the fish were returned to their natural habitat.
Another Incident in Vyshhorod Region
Separately, a similar case was documented in the Vyshhorod region, where illegal fishing caused over 90,000 hryvnias in damages to the state. Law enforcement identified a 56-year-old man using nets during the spawning ban. These incidents highlight the urgent need for stricter enforcement of wildlife protection laws, especially during spawning periods when fish are most vulnerable.
The detection of poachers in the Danube Biosphere Reserve and the Vyshhorod region underscores serious violations of Ukraine’s aquatic resource protection legislation.
Illegal fishing, particularly of Red Book species, threatens fragile ecosystems and could lead to long-term depletion of fish stocks. These cases reinforce the importance of intensified efforts by law enforcement and environmental agencies to safeguard water resources, especially during the critical spawning season.
In addition to the alarming incidents in the Danube Biosphere Reserve, a recent crackdown in the Kyiv region has revealed significant damages caused by poachers during the sensitive spawning season. These ongoing violations underline the critical need for enhanced protections for aquatic life. To learn more about the impact of illegal fishing activities across Ukraine, check out this report on the recent poaching case in the Kyiv region.