Lithuanian authorities confiscate car, boat, and nets from illegal fishermen

Lithuania’s Environmental Protection Department (AAD) has seized a car, boat, fishing nets, and catch from two men caught illegally fishing in Telšiai district, the agency reported Monday.

The incident marks the first case under tightened administrative penalties, which now allow confiscation of vehicles used to transport banned fishing gear or illegally caught fish. On March 28, officials received a tip that two individuals had set up a collapsible net in Lake Lūkstas. Surveillance the following day confirmed the men used a Hyundai Santa Fe to access the lake, retrieved the nets by boat, and loaded five tench, three bream, one ide, and two roach into the car.

Authorities confiscated the boat with oars, two collapsible nets, boots, the fish, and the vehicle. The estimated damage to fish stocks totals €1,600. Administrative violation reports have been filed against the fishermen.