Chinese fishing nets were found in the reservoirs of the Almaty region. Environmental personnel conducted a flight as part of Operation Poacher. In just one fly-over in the upper reaches of the Ili River, they revealed 7 cases of violation of environmental legislation, the correspondent of "Khabar 24" says. 7 violations of environmental legislation - in just half a day. They were identified during a flight carried out in the upper reaches of the Ili River and at the Kapshagai reservoir. Compared to natural reservoirs, artificial Kapshagay is relatively small. However, fishing is the most active here in the Almaty region. Nearby is a metropolis with its huge food market. The water in Kapshagai is flowing, so the local fish as a product is of high quality. She is in good demand in the city. The reservoir is divided into 23 fishing areas. In total, 14 farms are engaged in fishing here. 8 sites are in reserve. Everyone has a license. But, as practice shows, violations of environmental legislation occur here all the time. Most often it is the use of fishing gear prohibited in the country.
Grigory Bedenko, correspondent:
- Chinese nets are made of monofilament. A very effective, but at the same time, environmentally hazardous means of fishing. If such a lump of synthetic thread ends up in shallow water, fish, birds, and even mammals can become entangled in it. For them, this is certain death. Therefore, such networks are prohibited in Kazakhstan.
Fishing with Chinese polyamide fiber nets was banned in Kazakhstan back in 2007. And in 2015, they were banned from importing and selling on the territory of the Eurasian Economic Union. But the number of these illegal devices in our country is not decreasing. Moreover, everyone began to use them everywhere. Even large farms do not disdain this. At one site, completely new nets were discovered.
Rinat Kumashev, head of the department of the Almaty territorial inspection of forestry and wildlife:
- Since the beginning of the year, on the fishery reservoirs of the Almaty region, inspection officers, together with police officers, have identified more than 47 kilometers of prohibited fishing gear - monofilament and monofilament nets. These networks in Kazakhstan are prohibited not only for use, but also for sale and delivery. However, due to the fact that there are gaps in the legislation, these networks, according to information, are imported as building material and are used by violators.
According to representatives of environmental structures, the border control system needs to be revised. In the current conditions, legislative acts banning polyamide fishing gear do not work. Raid events are the only way to deal with them so far. Especially when aviation helps.
Zhanat Baizhanov, observer pilot of the Almaty aviation department of Kazavialesohrana:
- To date, all the main forces of Kazavialesoohrana are directed to identify violations of environmental legislation. Also, with the help of aviation, we can appear at any time of the day anywhere in the Almaty region. And this is very effective, since many poachers at this time can neither hide their nets, nor remove fish.
Operation Poacher began in Kazakhstan on 11 October. During this time, only in the Almaty region 16 facts of criminal offenses were revealed. In 300 cases, violations were administrative - the perpetrators escaped with fines. In the near future, raids, including air raids, will continue.
Authors: Grigory Bedenko, Aben Narymbaev
