Members of the working group for the fight against illegal fishing in Montenegro, which consists of representatives of relevant institutions and the civil sector, stated at the last meeting that a broad front in the action against various types of illegal fishing has come to life in the past, and that significant results have been achieved.
In the past three years, many actions have been carried out, both at sea and on land. As a result of intensified and joint activities, a significant number of people were prosecuted, especially in cases of illegal use of nets, dynamite, generators, night diving with lamps. Also, the use of dynamite has significantly thinned.
The fact that in 2020 two people were sentenced to five months in prison for illegal fishing was assessed as a particularly significant step forward. Considering that, unfortunately, fish thieves’ consciousness can only change in this restrictive way, the Working Group representatives expressed hope that the prosecution and courts will continue to resolve processed cases and severely punish all devastators of our sea, lakes, and rivers.
In the coming period, the Inspectorate for Fisheries, the Police Administration and the fish guard service will pay special attention to the issue of illegal fishing in the area of ??the municipalities of Niki?, Danilovgrad, Tivat (Bigova), and Skadar Lake.
To strengthen the fisheries inspection capacity, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development conducted a procedure and procured a modernly equipped vessel for the control of activities at sea, which will significantly help suppress illegal activities. In the value of about 600 thousand euros, the procurement of this ship was realized through the MIDAS 2 project that the Government of Montenegro is implementing with the World Bank.
The Ministry of Agriculture in June 2017 formed a working group whose members are representatives of all relevant state and scientific institutions. The Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Interior Police, the Institute of Marine Biology in Kotor, National Parks, the Maritime Safety Administration, the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Higher State Prosecutor’s Office, the Harbor Master’s Office, the PE Marine Estate, and representatives of the civil sector. Particularly successful cooperation was achieved with the Group of Citizens STOP KRIVOLOVU and the NGO “Carp security team.” Their representatives’ selfless and tremendous support significantly contributed to combating illegal fishing and preserving and protecting our sea.
On this occasion, we appeal to all citizens, sport fishermen, divers, commercial fishermen to report possible illegal fishing activities. To help the competent institutions react on time because only together we can preserve our natural resources, said the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
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