Ukraine to Enact Total Ban on Fishing Nets by 2026, with Fines for Violators.

Ukraine's Upcoming Ban on Fishing Nets

According to Novyny.live: Ukraine will implement a complete prohibition on the use of fishing nets starting in 2026. This new regulation is designed to protect aquatic bioresources and prevent their illegal harvesting. Violators of the law will face significant penalties, including fines and potential criminal liability. This move aligns with broader European efforts to combat unsustainable fishing practices and protect biodiversity.

Regulations for Recreational Fishing

In Ukraine, recreational fishing is permitted only with a fishing rod. The use of any nets for catching fish is considered a serious violation. The ban extends to industrial and other nets, as well as the harvesting of aquatic life using explosives, poisonous substances, electric current, or firearms. Under the new rules, the fine for using nets can reach 680 hryvnias.

Furthermore, for causing significant damage, an offender may face criminal liability, which carries a fine ranging from 17,000 to 85,000 hryvnias. The manufacture, sale, and storage of prohibited fishing gear is also banned, with a fine of 1,700 hryvnias. Bans on catching specific fish species came into effect on February 15.

Several types of nets are explicitly prohibited, including:

• Kosynka – a triangular net used for ice fishing;
• Pavuk – a net larger than 1x1 meter with mesh sizes over 10 mm;
• Various industrial nets, such as seines, dragnets, and set nets;
• Yatir – a net made of woven twigs or wire stretched over a hoop;
• Ekran or 'televizor' – a rectangular gill net with floats on top and weights below;
• Dorizhka – a filamentous gill net lowered into the water and retrieved using a rubber shock absorber;
• Parashut – a conical net 5–10 meters in diameter with a lead weight around its perimeter.

These new fishing regulations establish clear boundaries for anglers, aiming to preserve aquatic ecosystems and ensure accountability for legal breaches. The introduction of these norms seeks not only to safeguard fish stocks but also to raise public awareness about the importance of ecological security. Over time, such initiatives could lead to improved fish resources and the conservation of biodiversity in Ukraine's water bodies.