With the start of the fishing season, the Adazi police have intensified patrols of Lake Baltezers. Law enforcement is searching for illegal nets and traps that poachers hide underwater, at docks, and even tie to trees.
With the arrival of warm weather, the municipal police of the Adazi region are increasingly patrolling lakes and rivers in search of poaching gear.
Along with the police, a filming crew from Degpunktā (TV3) went to Lake Baltezers.
The main goal of the raids is to detect illegally set nets and traps that harm fish resources.
According to law enforcement, poachers are becoming increasingly inventive and use various methods to disguise their gear.
"There are different methods — submerging underwater, leaving a float on the surface, and tying them to docks, posts, and trees," said Sandra Belyakova, senior inspector of the Adazi municipal police.
For searches, the police use not only a motorboat but also special equipment. On board, there is a sonar that helps detect objects underwater, as well as a metal hook for searching for nets on the bottom.
"It goes along the bottom and pulls everything out," explained Belyakova.
During the raid on Friday, no violators were found; however, on Monday, near the dock of a private house, police discovered a trap with bream and perch.
According to the inspectors, illegal gear often appears at the beginning of the active fishing season. Law enforcement officials note that over the years they have learned to spot signs of hidden nets from a distance.
If the owner of the gear is caught on site, they face a serious fine. As explained by Oscar Berzinsh, senior inspector of the Adazi municipal police, the fine for violating fishing regulations can reach 350 euros.
Additionally, violators must compensate for the damage caused by illegally caught fish. For example, for each bream caught over the allowed amount, there is a separate compensation — over 29 euros per fish. For more valuable fish, such as salmon, the amounts are significantly higher.
Law enforcement reminds that setting nets and traps is considered commercial fishing and is prohibited for private individuals.
Against the backdrop of the start of the active summer season, the police plan to continue regular checks on water bodies — both day and night.
"We can always appear on the water," the inspectors warn.
Residents are advised to check the fishing rules for specific water bodies on the website manacope.lv in advance to avoid fines and conflicts with law enforcement.
With the start of the summer season, the fight against poaching in Latvian water bodies once again becomes one of the ongoing tasks for the police and nature protection inspectors.
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