Police seized nearly five kilometres of illegal fishing nets in Lake Ohrid
In 44 inspections in June and July 25 hanging nets with a total length of 4,900 metres and 702 specimens of Ohrid belvica were seized; two arrested
Police officers from the Border Surveillance Police Station "Lake Ohrid" carried out 44 operational inspections in the waters of Lake Ohrid during June and July aimed at preventing and detecting illegal fishing, the Ministry of Interior said. ([mvr.gov.mk](https://mvr.gov.mk/en-GB/odnosi-so-javnost/novosti/egxrtjx?utm_source=openai))
Seizures and findings
As part of the inspections a total of 25 so-called hanging fishing nets were discovered and seized, with a combined length of 4,900 metres. These are nets that are strictly prohibited for use in fishing.
During the checks 702 specimens of Ohrid belvica were found, with a total weight of 97.1 kilograms. The Ohrid belvica is an endemic species of Lake Ohrid. ([moepp.gov.mk](https://www.moepp.gov.mk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Study-of-Valorization-Lake-Ohrid-MK-2022-01-18-final.pdf?utm_source=openai))
During the operations the police encountered two persons — one from the Ohrid village of Peshtani and one from Struga. Both were detained at the police station and appropriate charges were filed against them.
The Border Surveillance Police Station "Lake Ohrid" announced that inspections will continue in the coming period, not only to prevent illegal fishing but also to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Law on Inland Navigation.
Photo: MVR
