In one of the districts of Warsaw, police detained a 57-year-old citizen of Ukraine suspected of illegally catching a giant catfish measuring over 182 centimeters from Lake Balaton. The fish was considered a local attraction and, according to residents, had inhabited the water body for about two decades.
In the Gocław district of Warsaw, police detained a Ukrainian man suspected of illegally catching a catfish measuring over 182 cm from the local Lake Balaton and transporting it in violation of regulations.
This was reported by Polsat News and News Na Dziś, as conveyed by bb.lv.
The incident occurred on May 30 and sparked a strong reaction from the local population, as many considered this catfish a true local legend.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/J_F8-Gs5ie4?si=41naHflEMVYYZZSD&start=19" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>It is noted that the catfish had been swimming in the water for about 20 years, measured 182 cm in length, and was known to the locals. On social media, eyewitnesses who might have been at the scene of the incident stated that the actions of the men provoked immediate protests.
Footage is also circulating showing the men first catching the fish from a water bike while paddling across the lake, and then dragging the animal along the sidewalk to the trunk of a car.
Deputy Inspector Joanna Węgrzyniak, spokesperson for the VII District Police of Warsaw, stated that a 57-year-old man has been detained in connection with this case, and he will face two charges.
"We are talking about the transportation of fish caught during the closed season, as well as transporting it without access to water, which means we can already speak of cruelty to this fish," she said.
According to her, law enforcement will also check for any other violations.
The story has caused a wide public outcry in Poland, as many residents viewed the famous catfish as a symbol of Lake Balaton. Now, law enforcement must establish all the circumstances of the incident and determine whether additional violations of environmental legislation occurred.
