A man has reportedly caused significant damages estimated at over 650 thousand hryvnias. He faces up to three years of imprisonment.

This morning, during a joint patrol near the village of Kalagliya, officers from the Odesa District Police Department No. 2’s water police, along with border guards, discovered a 24-year-old resident of the Ovidiopol community illegally fishing with prohibited equipment. He did not possess any fishing licenses.

The investigative team was called to the scene, where they seized fishing gear, including a fishing suit, two nets totaling 200 meters in length, and 287 fish weighing a total of 180 kilograms, including herring, carp, bream, crucian carp, perch, roach, flounder, and asp. All seized items have been stored by a specialized agency pending the investigation.

According to preliminary estimates, the illegal actions of the fisherman caused damages to the state exceeding 650 thousand hryvnias.

In connection with this case, investigators have entered information into the Unified Register of Pre-Trial Investigations under Part 1 of Article 249 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which pertains to illegal fishing that causes significant damage. A judicial ecological examination will be conducted to determine the exact amount of damage to the state. After necessary investigative actions and receiving the expert conclusion, a decision will be made regarding the suspect. He faces up to three years of imprisonment.

The investigation is ongoing under the procedural guidance of the Chornomorsk District Prosecutor's Office.

Police urge citizens to be responsible, comply with existing laws, and protect nature.

Reminder: since April, a seasonal spring-summer fishing ban has been implemented in water bodies of Odesa region, which will remain effective until July 31.