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One year from the introduction of mobile payments for free-time fishing

Free-time fishers have had the possibility to pay for the right to fish for recreation with mobile payments for a year already, which had significantly simplified the process of receiving the right for recreational fishing. "Earlier it was possible to pay for the recreational fishing right on the internet or in a bank, whereas from 1 July 2008, it can be done at any location in Estonia if you have a mobile phone working in the EMT, ELISA or Tele2 mobile network," Ain Soome, Head of the Fisheries Department of the Ministry of the Environment, said.

In 2008, almost 9000 payments in the amount of more than 650.000 kroons were made by mobile for the right to fish for recreation. "Thanks to the simplicity and availability of mobile payments the number of persons who paid for the right to fish for recreation increased by 25%," Soome explained.

 

The right to fish for recreation will take effect two hours after payment and receiving a respective SMS message. A reminder message will also be sent when the right to fish expires. In case of mobile payments, the payment amount will be added to the mobile services invoice of the respective month; in case of pre-paid cards, the amount will be deducted from the card balance.

 

In November 2008, the forum of public officials announced the winner of the title "Best Public Service 2008". The winner was the mobile payment service for the right to fish for recreation developed under the leadership of the Ministry of the Environment.

 

Additional information:
Ain Soome, Head, Fisheries Department, Ministry of the Environment, 626 0711

(30/06/2009)