Bulgaria Plans to Introduce Prison Sentences for Illegal Fishing

Politics » DOMESTIC | December 6, 2010, Monday // 18:29
Bulgaria: Bulgaria Plans to Introduce Prison Sentences for Illegal Fishing Bulgaria's Agriculture Minister Miroslav Naydenov took part in an event for Nikulden (St. Nikola's Day), the day of fisherman, sailors, and bankers. Naydenov cooked with in the streets of Sofia together with a culinary TV show host. Photo by BGNES

Bulgaria's Executive Agency of Fisheries and Aqua Cultures has proposed jail sentences for illegal fishing to be including in the Penal Code.

The proposed sentences for poachers, who caught more than 200 kg of fish illegally, are from 3 to 8 years in jail, plus a fine of between BGN 5 000 and BGN 15 000, and confiscation of the violator's catch and boat, announced the head of the executive agency, Yavor Nedev.

Nedev together with Minister of Agriculture and Foods, Miroslav Naydenov, gave a press conference Monday, December 6, which in Bulgaria is celebrated as St. Nikola's Day, or Nikulden, a holiday for fishermen, sailors, and bankers when every Bulgarian family has a traditional fish dinner.

Nedev explained that the proposed legislation changes about illegal fishing is in accordance with the punishments applied in most Mediterranean countries.

"Even though we are in a time of financial crisis, the management of the agency and I personally are investing heavily in the fight against the army of numerous poaches," Agriculture Minister Naydenov declared.

He stressed the fact that the efforts of the agency have already produced the first four sentences for illegal fishing, and have also led to the confiscation and destruction of hundreds of thousands of kilometers of poachers' fishing nets.

He pointed out that he hoped that the ambitious team of the Executive Agency of Fisheries will manage to catch up with the other EU members under the EU Fishing Operational Program.

Earlier on Monday, Naydenov participated in a special event for St. Nikola's Day cooking fish in the open in the streets of Sofia.

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Tags: Nikulden, St. Nikola's Day, poacher, fishing, Fishing and Aqua Cultures Agency, Agriculture Minister, Miroslav Naydenov, Yavor Nedev

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