Starting February 15, according to the Recreational Fishing Regulations, all Ukrainian fishermen will be prohibited from catching pike during its spawning season in all fisheries. This decision was introduced until March 31 to protect pike during the critical breeding season.

The State Agency of Fisheries of Ukraine confirmed this initiative. According to the information, violation of this ban can lead to serious sanctions, including administrative and even criminal liability, as well as a fine of UAH 3,468 for each illegally caught fish.

This restriction is necessary due to the unique physiological characteristics of pike, which begins to spawn at low water temperatures of 3-5°C, which is significantly lower than other fish species.

The State Fisheries Agency emphasizes that in case of accidental catching of pike while fishing for other fish species, it is necessary to release the fish back into the water. It also reminds of the ban on fishing in wintering pits until the start of the next spawning season.

Recently, the draft law No. 7616 was adopted, which introduced a reform in the fishing industry. This paved the way for full-fledged electronic auctions for the right to commercial fishing, which will simplify access for new business entities and reduce the administrative burden on the industry.