Crayfish Fishing has been Banned in Ukraine: What Threatens Violators.

From December 1, 2024, fishing for crayfish will be prohibited in most water bodies in Ukraine during their mating, egg-carrying, and first molting periods in order to preserve these river inhabitants.

The fishing ban on the Danube River and its lakes starts from December 5, and on the Kyiv, Kaniv, Kremenchuk, Kamianske, and Dnipro reservoirs - from December 15. This was reported by the Ministry of Agrarian Policy.

In Transcarpathia, the main species of crayfish is the red-listed signal crayfish, the fishing of which is banned all year round for its preservation. Various penalties, including administrative fines and criminal liability, as well as compensation for damages caused to fisheries, are envisaged for fishing during the prohibited period. The compensation for illegal crayfish fishing amounts to 3,332 UAH.

Three species of crayfish are found in the waters of Ukraine: long-clawed, broad-clawed, and thick-clawed. However, the last two species are included in the Red Book of Ukraine, and their fishing on the territory of the country is prohibited all year round for their preservation.