"No one is watching, no one is checking!" – fishing expert outraged by fishing nets under the ice in the Daugava 0 7

The most observant residents have surely noticed the frozen poles with flags and light signals on improvised masts. However, only a few suspect what is happening under the ice, reports the show Bez Tabu (TV3).

Thanks to modern technology, Arvis and his like-minded individuals peered into the depths of the Daugava and discovered that fishing nets (traps, fishing gear) are still present under the ice.

According to Arvis, fishermen are obliged to pull the nets from the bottom in winter when thick ice forms on the river, as no one is currently monitoring them, and inspections are impossible.

Another question is where the dozens of meters of these nets will go when the ice begins to break up on the Daugava. There is a risk that the fish traps, driven by the ice and current, will simply turn into pollution downstream.

In Riga, fishing permits for the Daugava are issued by the Department of Housing and Environment of the municipality. The show Bez Tabu found out that there are currently seven enterprises actively engaged in fishing. However, the State Environmental Service controls where and how the fishing takes place.

"The so-called stoders — designations of fishing gear — are stuck in the ice. The nets are on the riverbed, and their presence under the ice does not significantly affect the volumes or economic value of the catch. Moreover, fishing with nets for river lamprey in the Daugava is not prohibited and will not be prohibited until May 1, and the regulatory framework does not provide specific deadlines for checking or retrieving the nets. Restrictions on their use will only come into effect on May 1," the service stated.

The service adds that currently, there are nets for lamprey belonging to the fishing cooperative 'Vecdaugava' from Mangaļsala under the ice. It was not possible to contact the lamprey fishermen at the time of preparing the Bez Tabu segment.