Poaching activity is surging in the Kamchatka region during the current salmon fishing season. During the week of July 20–27, enforcement officers apprehended 113 violators across local water bodies. Authorities seized 1,363 kilograms of illegally harvested fish, alongside 10 vehicles and 63 pieces of fishing equipment.
This volume represents a significant increase from the previous week, when 304 kilograms of illicitly caught salmon were confiscated. The most frequent offenses involve breaches of fishing regulations and habitat protection laws, as well as the evasion of administrative penalties.
Enforcement efforts on the region’s waterways are currently maintained by 17 operational task forces and 26 stationary checkpoints. Anti-poaching patrols and raids remain ongoing to curb the illegal harvest.
Strict financial penalties are enforced for environmental damages caused by illegal fishing in Kamchatka. The fines for a single illegally caught fish, regardless of size or weight, are set by species: sockeye salmon – 11,575 rubles; Chinook and coho salmon – 10,635 rubles; chum salmon – 2,009 rubles; pink salmon – 961 rubles; and char – 925 rubles. Additionally, the penalty for one kilogram of illicitly obtained red caviar is established at 27,455 rubles.