Curbing Illegal Fishing in Ukraine
In 2026, Ukraine is implementing stricter measures to combat illegal fishing, a significant national issue. The State Agency for Land Reclamation, Fisheries, and Food Programs has announced a tougher enforcement regime featuring substantial fines, equipment confiscation, and potential criminal liability.
New Fines and Penalties
Cabinet of Ministers Decree No. 1042 establishes specific rates for calculating damages from illegal fishing. Fines are levied per illegally caught fish. The compensation rates are as follows:
- Trout — 7,225 hryvnias per fish;
- Catfish — 5,117 hryvnias;
- Carp — 3,706 hryvnias;
- Zander — 3,587 hryvnias.
Under the new rules, standard fishing violations carry fines from 34 to 170 hryvnias. For more serious infractions, fines will range from 340 to 680 hryvnias.
Particularly severe sanctions target illegal fishing that causes substantial damage, with fines from 17,000 to 51,000 hryvnias. The use of electric current or explosives carries the highest penalty, with fines up to 85,000 hryvnias. Additionally, illegal fishing causing significant harm can result in imprisonment for up to three years.
The State Agency clarifies that violations include:
- Fishing during the spawning ban;
- Using prohibited gear such as nets, traps, 'spider' nets, electric fishing rods, or explosives;
- Fishing in designated wintering pits for fish.
"In such cases, the offender faces a fine from 340 to 680 hryvnias, along with mandatory confiscation of all illegally obtained aquatic bioresources and all tools used in the offense, regardless of their value," — the State Fisheries Agency.
These new measures aim to reduce poaching and protect Ukraine's aquatic bioresources. This policy shift reflects a broader governmental effort to safeguard the country's natural resources and ecosystems. For context, Ukraine's rich inland waterways have long suffered from overfishing and illegal practices, threatening biodiversity and sustainable fisheries. The introduction of stricter fines and enhanced control signifies a commitment to reversing this trend and could have a long-term positive impact on restoring fish stocks and preserving biodiversity in the nation's water bodies.