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In most freshwater fish, spawning begins in spring and almost until the end of summer. Marine fish spawn from late summer until January. At this time, there are restrictions on fishing, including the use of swimming facilities (rowing boat, boat, and others). Somewhere to swim in a boat in a spawning ban on a boat is complete, but somewhere limited. It is important to know these points in order not to be punished by the ruble.
Boat use during the spawning ban
Restrictions are introduced by relevant legislative acts. Each fishery has its own restrictions and prohibitions. Therefore, before going out on a boat, you need to study the legislation of your region. For example, according to the rules of the fisheries of the Novosibirsk region, certain water areas are closed for the spawning period, but not all.
The rules provide a list of specific places where boating is prohibited. In other reservoirs there is no ban. But it is advisable not to carry tackle in the boat, since it is not known how the inspector will regard this.
Such measures are applied in order to preserve natural resources. The authorities impose restrictions and thereby allow individuals to reproduce normally. Otherwise, irreparable damage will be done to nature. But many are interested in the question, is it possible to sail a boat during a spawning ban?
Is it possible to fish or just ride
For more accurate information, it is necessary to refer to the regulatory legal acts of a particular region. They may differ significantly. It depends on the presence of certain aquatic inhabitants, their numbers and other features.
According to statistics, each individual caught during spawning is minus 3-5 adult fish in the future. Thus, one caught prey can reduce the fauna by three, five times.
In general, amateur fishing is not prohibited, but has restrictions. You can only fish from the shore. Somewhere even two hooks are allowed. Basically it’s one. As for whether it is possible to fish from a boat during the ban, this cannot be done. In some regions, simply riding a motorized watercraft is prohibited during the spawning season.
For example, in the Moscow region, according to the rules of the Volga-Caspian fishery basin, it is prohibited to sail on water objects of the economy on small-sized vessels (motorized) of any type during the prohibited periods.
Once spawning is complete, this ban on fishing from a boat ceases to apply. You can fish with all permitted tackle, as well as use a boat with an engine or just ride. The dates when boats can be used depend on the region.
For example, in the Nizhny Novgorod region on the Or river, boating is allowed after June 10. The same is true in the Cheboksary reservoir. After June 15 at the Gorky reservoir with tributaries. According to the State Hunting Supervision Committee of the Nizhny Novgorod Region, the use of small boats in spawning grounds is prohibited. It is not indicated with or without a motor. Based on this, it turns out that the ban applies to all small boats.
Some regions allow simple rowing, but not in spawning areas, but in Yoshkar-Ola, the restrictions are not so severe. According to the statement of the Head of State Control, Supervision and Fish Protection Sergey Blinov, it is allowed to move on a motor boat if it does not have gear. On rowboats it is allowed to have one float or bottom rod, but not to fish.
What does the law say and what does it regulate?
The fishing industry is regulated by Law 457 of the Federal Law “On recreational fishing”. This NPA spells out the main points, including restrictive ones. It is advisable to study this legislative act, since the responsibility provides not only administrative (fine and confiscation), but also criminal.
In addition, Law N 166 – FZ “On Fishing and the Conservation of Aquatic Biological Resources” is in force. It regulates industrial, recreational and sport fishing.
During the spawning period, commercial fishing is completely prohibited.
But ordinary anglers are allowed to catch fish. True, only from the shore and not in places of direct spawning. In addition, the fisherman should not use more than one rod. Two hooks are allowed. The authorities introduce such measures in order to preserve aquatic biological resources, and not to replenish the treasury.
In 2021, the rules of recreational fishing have undergone significant changes. Ordinary fishermen have been waiting for them for so long. According to the amendments, there are no fishing areas now. With the exception of the Northern regions, Siberia and the Far East. The most valuable and rare individuals are found in these water areas.
In the rest of the water bodies (rivers, lakes, reservoirs), amateur fishing becomes public, and therefore free. Of course, except for private reservoirs, nature conservation and others. True, during certain periods, such as spawning, additional restrictive measures are introduced.
Thus, in the water area of the Saratov reservoir, a spawning ban was introduced from the beginning of May until the first ten days of June. On some reservoirs, the rules are spelled out separately. For example, a ban is introduced from 25.04. to 25.06. in the waters of Big and Small Uzen.
The law also regulates the catch rate for each species. It includes not only quantity, but also size. The maximum daily volume should not exceed 5 kg per fisherman.
In case of capture of an individual listed in the Red Book, it is necessary to release it. In some cases, it is prohibited to harvest fish and crayfish if their size does not correspond to the commercial ones.
In some regions, the countdown is carried out not by weight, but by the piece. For example, in Primorye, up to 100 pieces of some types of fish are allowed. In the Leningrad region, it is allowed to catch no more than 5 individuals of zander per day.
The daily norm is not established during sports and other events.
It is also worth knowing that there are other prohibitions on the use of small boats. For example, after the start of freeze-up and before the end of the ice drift (without an engine). In addition, even finding a boat on a water body is prohibited.
Does having a motor matter?
The presence of a motor on a watercraft has a negative effect on representatives of the fauna, namely, the sound of the engine frightens the fish and it stops eating normally, other disturbances appear, which subsequently affect the reproduction process. Over time, this can significantly affect its numbers. Accordingly, it is strictly forbidden to use a motorboat during the spawning period.
For example, in some subjects, not only boats with an engine are banned, but also jet skis, catamarans, sailing boats and even kayaks. Usually, the rules specify specific water bodies and the terms of the ban. The violator may receive a fine for the motor during the spawning period.
In October 2017, a ban on fishing for the Baikal omul was introduced. In almost four years, the number of a rare species has grown by 15-20%, says Leonid Mikhailik, Head of the Baikal branch of the Federal State Budgetary Institution.
In 2017, the amount of biospecies decreased by eight tons. Timely measures taken made it possible to improve the situation, and the fish began to spawn. Discussions have even begun on lifting the ban, but specific dates have not yet been announced.
Responsibility and fines for the use of small boats for spawning
The extraction of aquatic biological resources for spawning in violation of the law can lead to administrative or criminal penalties. The fine for moving around spawning areas, according to the Code of Administrative Offenses, ranges from two to five thousand rubles. This punishment is written in article 8.37 of part 2 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation. At the same time, the boat and tackle are confiscated. Officials will pay 20-30 thousand rubles for the same act, and legal entities 100-200 thousand.
Control over compliance with fishing rules is carried out not only by fish inspection inspectors, but also by police officers (including the traffic police), border officials, if the water area is located in the border area. These departments may stop the vehicle for the purpose of verifying compliance with the fisheries law.
In addition to the Code of Administrative Offenses, punishment may be imposed in accordance with the legislative acts of the subjects. So in the Nizhny Novgorod region for the use of a boat in spawning grounds (during the spawning period) an administrative fine is imposed in the amount of 2-4 thousand rubles. Liability is provided for in Article 5.14. Code of the Nizhny Novgorod Region on Administrative Offenses.
But this does not mean that the violator can be additionally brought under the Code of Administrative Offenses. For the same offence, a citizen cannot be prosecuted twice or more.
But if you aggravate the situation, then you definitely won’t get out of the corner. A prerequisite is the fishing of aquatic inhabitants from a motor boat in especially large volumes. This act, according to article 256 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, entails a fine of 300-500 thousand rubles, correctional labor, or imprisonment for up to two years.
You can fall under criminal liability in case of damage from 100 thousand rubles.
Let’s take an example. Sturgeon fishing is strictly prohibited. One sturgeon is estimated at 160 thousand rubles. Accordingly, it is enough for a poacher to catch one individual to go to jail. In addition, a certain amount will be charged for damage to a valuable species.
Don’t break the law and take care of nature!