Bulgarian Poaching Fishermen End up in Jail

Zhrebchevo dam on the Tundzha river in south-eastern Bulgaria. Photo by Evgeni Dinev.

The Bulgarian Executive Agency on Fisheries and Aquaculture announced that two persons are entering prison Thursday for illegal fishing, following a sentence by Sliven Regional Court.

The Agency on Fisheries and Aquaculture is the authority in charge of administering activities within the EU Common Fisheries Policy and other fishery-related duties of the Bulgarian state.

The two men were casting nets on March 10 in Zhrebchevo, Bulgaria's thrid-biggest dam, located on the Tundzha river in the south-eastern part of the country, and were detained the following day.

They had made a sizable illegal 126 kg catch from a number of fish species living in the dam. The couple made use of seven nets of a total length of 400 m.

One of the poachers, coming from the town of Sredets, was sentenced to 8 months in jail and a BGN 800 fine. His accomplice from the village of Seliminovo was sentenced to 4 months in jail and a fine of BGN 500. Both will serve their sentences in the Burgas prison under strict regime.

The two will be disallowed to practice any fishing for 3 years.

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