The new procedure will definitely make more difficult the lives of people who do not abide by the law and are involved with poaching or simply behave carelessly. Several fine rates will increase, which will hopefully help to prevent violations in the future. As a result, the state of fishery resources should improve and honest fishermen should have reason to rejoice, said Minister of the Environment Keit Pentus. The idea of the draft Act is that in the case of fish with a similar protection status the compensation rates should be similar, which is why the currently valid compensation rate for several species of fish has been changed. The largest increase is the amount of damage for sea trout and river trout, from EUR 20 to EUR 30, and eel from EUR 10 to EUR 30 per fish caught. The rate of compensation for pike has decreased from EUR 10 to EUR 7, and for spite from EUR 4.8 to EUR 2 per specimen. Pursuant to the regulation, the rates of compensation for specified species of fish are per kilogram. This is necessary in the event that the damage inflicted upon fisheries resources by poaching is identified later, as a result of which it is no longer possible to count the number of injured fish. From now on, damage to fisheries resources considered to be in addition to the killing or maiming of a fish the removal of the fish from its natural environment, if this accompanied the intentional violation of the provisions of valid legislation. For example, if an inspector catches a fisherman in an area with a prohibition on catching pike who has already place the pike in his bag and clearly intends to take them with him the violator must still pay the compensation for damage even if it is possible to return the fish to the water alive. In 2010 a total of 1458 violations related to the area of fishing were registered, including the removal of 760 pieces of fishing gear of undetermined ownership. A total of EEK 800 000, in the form of compensation, had to be paid for these violations for damage to fishery resources. |
