“Environmental inspectors have found over a hundred ownerless fishing tools, dozens of investigations have been initiated and they have managed to return thousands of illegally caught crayfish back to their habitats before their autumn mating period,” said Environmental Board’s wildlife and fishing observation development department’s head inspector Aare Pai. “These are not the final results, as many investigations are still underway and our checkups to the fishing spots continue on after August,” said Pai.
Both illegal fishing and illegal fishing methods have been investigated, and any illegally caught or small crayfish have been returned to their natural environment. “The goal of the fishing maps and minimum size guides is to keep fisherman from depleting our numbers of crayfish. This number has been agreed upon in cooperation with scientists and it serves to keep crayfish numbers steady in our rivers,” explained the head inspector. “Estonia is home to at least 300 colonies of crayfish, but many of these have a small amount of remaining specimens due to crayfish plagues and invasive species. This means added pressure for Saaremaa, Southern-Estonia and Harjumaa, where crayfish are still bountiful. Sadly, this also means that these areas are subject to more illegal fishing. Criminal proceedings have began in three counties due to large quantities of illegal fishing,” said Aare Pai.
Illegal activities have been discovered both during routine rounds made by inspectors as well as through private tips given to the Environmental Board. “Volunteer fish conservationists from the Estonian Fishing Organisation in Harjumaa and Saaremaa have been a great help to us, but regular environmentally-aware citizens have also tipped us off to illegal activity,” said Pai. “Crayfish fishing has been illegal since the start of September. If anyone happens to notice any crayfish fishing activity, please report it on the following number: 1247,” stressed Aare Pai, Environmental Board’s wildlife and fishing observation development department’s head inspector.
Persons breaking crayfish fishing laws can be subject to a fine of up to 1200 euros. Criminal punishments are given to people who have illegally fished a large amount of crayfish.
