Meeting of the Committee on Agro-Industrial Complex was held

The parliamentarians together with those invited discussed in the course of regular meeting of the Committee on Agro-Industrial Complex, Industry, Transport, Construction and Natural Resources a number of legislations that are being prepared for adoption in the second reading.

We are talking about making changes and additions to two laws at once: "On payments for environmental pollution and the use of natural resources" and "On fishing and conservation of aquatic biological resources".

Amendments and additions to the law "On Fishing and Conservation of Aquatic Biological Resources" prescribe the possibility of resuming the production (catch) of common (European) catfish during daylight hours. Catching this type of fish has been banned in the republic during the last 15 years.

The law-in-draft defines the places where catfish can be fished legally. This is the Dniester, from the bridge of the Poltava-Chisinau highway downstream, including the Turunchuk channel, to the border with Ukraine, except for places where fishing is permanently prohibited. The law-in-draft prescribes that one person can catch one fish no less than 70 centimeters in size. If the catfish is smaller, it must be released into its natural habitat. The law-in-draft stipulates at the same time the conditions for a ban on catching catfish with nets, venters, catfish. Only fishing lines for bottom fishing or spinning rods with up to two hooks per tackle are allowed. The number of hooks for one amateur fisherman should be no more than five pieces on all available gear. Dates of production (catch) of catfish – on Saturdays and Sundays in the period from July 1 to September 30.

Both the areas and the time when catching catfish are prohibited in principle are stipulated. Taking into consideration the role of catfish as a natural biological reclamator and its status as a “trophy” fish, the resumption of catfish fishing will take place only on a permit basis and for a fee.

The funds received for issuing permits are earmarked and are used solely for the purpose of carrying out activities aimed at the conservation, restoration and rational use of aquatic biological resources, including stocking and biological reclamation of fishery reservoirs of the republic.

The law-in-draft will be submitted for discussion at the plenary session of the PMR Supreme Council in the near future.