Proposes to provide for cases in which poachers could have their cars confiscated from fishermen

After evaluating the initiative of Linas Jonauskas, Member of the Seimas, to confiscate vehicles from poaching fishermen, the Parliament's Committee on Law and Order proposes to provide for specific cases when such a sanction would be applied.

Members of the Committee approved amendments to the Administrative Offences Code (AOC), proposed by the TTK's Vice-Chairman, Vitalias Gailus, which would allow for the confiscation of vehicles if an infringement of the rules on amateur fishing is committed with prohibited gear or by prohibited methods. This sanction could also be imposed for infringements of the regulatory measures and conditions governing the fishing of salmon, sea bream, speckled trout and grilse. In addition, the loss of a car would be a penalty for both first-time and repeat offences.

According to Mr Gailiaus, the ANC proposes to define that only those cars that have been used to transport prohibited fishing gear or illegally caught fish should be confiscated.

„The amendments to the ANC leave the right to the court to decide whether to confiscate a car in a particular case“, V. Gailius told Elta.

On Wednesday, 9 members of the TTK unanimously voted in favour of the proposed regulation. However, the Seimas will have the final say.

„We are seeing an increase in the number of „serial” poachers who operate in groups and whose damage to fish stocks amounts to several dozen, even tens of thousands of euros, but fines do not deter them from repeated offences. Confiscation of the vehicle for illegal fishing would deter poachers more," L. Jonauskas told Elta.

His initiative would harmonise the regulation of hunting and recreational fishing.

ELTA recalls that the current ANC provides for fines, but does not allow for the confiscation from poachers of vehicles used for the transport of illegal fishing gear or fish. This could also be the case for hunting and waste management offences.