Starting August 15, a seasonal ban on crayfish fishing will go into effect on most bodies of water in Ukraine. This information was reported by “Glavkom,” citing the State Agency for Land Reclamation, Fisheries, and Food Programs of Ukraine.
The ban is intended to preserve the crayfish population during their second molting period, when they are most vulnerable. “Molting is a crucial process in the life of crayfish, as they must shed their old shells to grow. The formation and hardening of the new shell can take anywhere from one to one and a half months. During this period, crayfish are defenseless, which justifies the need for the ban,” said Ihor Klymenok, head of the State Agency for Fisheries.
The State Fisheries Agency also emphasized that the dates of the seasonal ban may vary by region. For example, in the Mykolaiv and Kherson regions, crayfish fishing is prohibited from August 10 to September 20.
When will crayfish fishing be banned in different regions of Ukraine?
In Zakarpattia, home to the broad-clawed crayfish—a species listed in the Red Book—crayfish fishing is prohibited year-round.
“Violations of the crayfish fishing ban are punishable by penalties ranging from administrative fines to criminal liability, as well as compensation for damages to the fisheries sector. Compensation for each illegally caught crayfish amounts to 3,332 UAH,” the State Agency for Fisheries reported.
