Several arrests reported
Sulaymaniyah environment police crack down on illegal fishing
SULAYMANIYAH — The Forest and Environment Police in Sulaymaniyah announced the arrest of four individuals engaged in illegal fishing activities during a seasonal ban.
A comprehensive 100-day ban on fishing across the Kurdistan Region, spanning from March 5 to June 15, 2024, has been implemented as per a fish protection directive from the Ministry of Agriculture.
The ban aims to protect fish populations during critical breeding periods, with fishing set to resume normally on June 16.
In an effort to safeguard aquatic life during this period, the Forest and Environment Police units have increased patrols and enforcement measures. Hemn Kamerkhan, spokesperson for the Sulaymaniyah Forest and Environment Police, told 964media that enforcement operations have been amplified around lakes and rivers under their jurisdiction.
During a patrol operation along Darbandikhan Lake, aimed at preventing illegal fishing, the team successfully apprehended four individuals found to be fishing.
Kamerkhan highlighted that the arrests were made during illegal fishing operations, with 10 freshly caught fish and one fishing net confiscated. An investigation has been initiated, and the case has been forwarded to the judiciary to undertake legal actions.
Since the announcement of the fishing ban, daily arrests of illegal fishermen have been reported across the waters of the Kurdistan Region, with over 160 fishing nets also confiscated.