Crayfish Fishing Ban in Ukraine: What You Need to Know and Penalties for Violators
In Ukraine, periodic restrictions are imposed on the catching of aquatic inhabitants, including crayfish and fish, aimed at conserving their populations and preventing their disappearance due to overfishing.
Currently, one such ban is in effect, designed to protect crayfish during their second molting — the most vulnerable phase of their life cycle.
According to the State Fisheries Agency, these restrictions are in place from August 15 to September 30 across most water bodies of Ukraine.
However, in the Mykolaiv, Kherson regions, and the Dnipro-Buzky estuarine system, the ban began earlier — on August 10.The agency’s statement notes that in the Transcarpathian region, especially protected are the endangered crayfish species, such as the broad-fingered crayfish, which are prohibited from being caught all year round.
All anglers and fishermen are advised to familiarize themselves with specific prohibition periods for their regions through official resources.Legislation in Ukraine stipulates strict penalties for illegal crayfish fishing — ranging from administrative fines to criminal liability, along with compensation for damages caused to the fishing industry.
The compensation for each illegally caught crayfish is set at 3,332 hryvnias.Additionally, with the introduction of a fishing permit for amateur anglers, illegal harvesting beyond the set norms is now prohibited, ensuring the preservation of aquatic biodiversity and preventing resource depletion in Ukrainian waters.