Recreational fishing is currently permitted in Ukraine. However, there is a limit beyond which a simple, enjoyable summer outing by the water can become a breach of environmental legislation. And this limit is determined by the size of the catch.
The State Agency of Ukraine for the Development of Land Reclamation, Fisheries and Food Programmes has issued a reminder regarding the limits on the daily catch of aquatic biological resources that can be taken free of charge.
It all depends on the fish itself
Ukrainians may fish for their own consumption free of charge in areas designated for public use of water bodies. However, there is a ‘but’: in this case, the sale of the catch is prohibited, and for certain species of fish, the daily catch limit must be observed.
The rules for recreational fishing allow unlimited catches of the following species: sand smelt, silver bream, dwarf American catfish, roach, sun perch, tulka and Amur gudgeon.
For all other fish species, the daily catch limit per angler is 3 kg and 1 specimen. The term “1 specimen” means an individual fish of any weight, but not smaller than the minimum allowed size for catching.
Other aquatic creatures
The state also sets limits for some types of invertebrate inhabitants of Ukrainian water bodies. In one day, a single angler may catch:
- crayfish – 30 specimens;
- bivalve mollusks – 5 kg;
- rapa whelks – 30 kg;
- shrimp – 1 kg;
- chironomid (bloodworm) larvae, river and marine gammarids, caddisflies, daphnia, cyclops, artemia, nereids – 0.1 kg.
“An important requirement for amateur anglers is to exercise self-control over compliance with daily catch limits. For this purpose, during fishing, it is necessary to have with you means for weighing the aquatic biological resources caught and to independently verify that your catch meets the established limits,” the State Fisheries Agency notes.
Source: State Fisheries Agency
Important nuances
The Order of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy No. 700 dated 19.09.2022 “On Approval of the Rules of Amateur Fishing” states:
- catch objects cannot include species listed in the Red Book of Ukraine or in other lists of rare protected species;
- some fishing gear and methods are prohibited, including nets, traps, firearms and pneumatic weapons, harpoons, traps, electric rods, explosives, and stun devices. The full list can be found in Section IV of the order.
- for exceeding the daily catch limit, an amateur angler must pay as for special use of aquatic biological resources;
- in some water bodies, fishing is either prohibited during certain periods or year-round. You can find them in this appendix. Fisheries protection authorities may adjust the restriction periods, so it is advised to follow their announcements.
The dry season continues, during which the risk of wildfires is particularly high. Therefore, EcoPolitic would like to remind you about the fines that must be paid for burning dry vegetation.
