Environmental police arrest seven at Darbandikhan Lake for illegal fishing during seasonal ban

SULAYMANIYAH — Forest and Environment Police detained seven people this week for illegally fishing at Darbandikhan Lake despite a seasonal ban, authorities said Wednesday.

In a statement, the Sulaymaniyah Directorate of Forest and Environment Police said joint teams from the Saidsadiq and Barzinja units carried out six operations within 24 hours near Darbandikhan Lake, arresting five individuals. Areas targeted included the villages of Nawgirdan, Kaltak, Kaluran, and Chami Doman.

Two more arrests occurred during a separate operation conducted by the Sharazur police unit in cooperation with Zarayan station officers. That operation covered the villages of Qalbeza, Beselemen, Jardaasna, Golan, Kani Bardina, Tuaqut, and Pirmamood.

Police confiscated nine fishing nets, a vehicle, a generator, and illegally caught fish of various sizes. Authorities said all suspects and seized equipment were handed over to the judiciary for legal action.

Additional arrests for illegal fishing were reported recently at Dukan and Darbandikhan lakes. The Kurdistan Region’s Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources imposed the seasonal fishing ban from March 10 to June 20 to protect fish populations during breeding season.

The Kurdistan Region’s rivers and dams, including the Great Zab, Little Zab, Dukan, and Darbandikhan, are popular sites for both recreational and commercial fishing.

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