Crayfish Fishing Season Opens in Ukraine Starting July 1

Ukraine Lifts Ban on Crayfish Harvesting

According to Главком: As of July 1, Ukraine has ended a months-long prohibition on catching crayfish that had been in place since late last year. This change is a welcome development for many fishing enthusiasts across the country. However, the lifting of the ban comes with strict regulations that anglers must follow. For instance, the daily catch limit per person is set at 30 crayfish specimens.

Rules for Crayfish Fishing

To legally harvest crayfish, only specific tools are permitted:

• hand gathering;
• a 'hapka' style crayfish trap with a diameter no larger than 70 cm and mesh size no bigger than 22 mm (limited to one trap per angler);
• a landing net with a diameter not exceeding 100 cm;
• a 'khvatka' device measuring no more than 1x1 m with a mesh size of 10 mm or less.

Additionally, hand gathering of crayfish is prohibited during nighttime hours, and the use of artificial lighting for this purpose is also banned.

Compliance with minimum size limits is crucial, and these vary by region. Specifically, the minimum allowed size for crayfish in the Dnipro reservoirs is 11 cm. In other inland water bodies and the Black Sea region, the limit is 10 cm, while in the Azov region it is 9 cm. Size is determined by measuring the length along the back, from the line connecting the middle of the eyes to the edge of the central tail plate.

Violators of these fishing rules face fines. Compensation for each illegally caught crayfish is set at 3,332 Ukrainian hryvnias. Ihor Klymenok, head of the State Fisheries Agency, commented:

'The removal of the ban on crayfish fishing is a long-awaited event for many fishing enthusiasts. However, when heading out to the water, do not forget about responsible treatment of river inhabitants and strict adherence to environmental protection laws.' Ihor Klymenok, Head of the State Fisheries Agency

Doctor of Biological Sciences Viktor Demchenko also noted that the war may have had a positive impact on the recovery of certain commercial species in the Black Sea due to reduced fishing pressure. There are grounds to expect an increase in the population of turbot. Fishermen are urged to remain vigilant and follow established norms and rules to ensure the preservation of aquatic resources.

The reopening of crayfish season is expected to boost recreational fishing activity across Ukraine, allowing anglers to return to their favorite pastime. Yet, it is essential to adhere to the new regulations to avoid harming the ecosystem. Responsible stewardship of nature and the conservation of water resources remain top priorities as the country’s fishing sector recovers.