Environmental officials record 191 violations in July, mostly involving fishing

Lithuania’s Environmental Protection Department recorded 191 violations of environmental requirements during inspections in July, most of them related to recreational fishing, LRT reported Thursday.

Officials conducted 163 “Relax Responsibly” raids, checking 1,472 individuals and 31 businesses. From July 1 to 31, they focused on recreation areas, particularly protected areas and the shores of water bodies.

Inspectors checked whether visitors parked vehicles in designated areas, followed rules for lighting fires, left no rubbish at campsites and fishing spots, and complied with environmental requirements when using watercraft or spending time in forests. They also stepped up prevention of illegal riding by all-terrain vehicles and motocross motorcycles in forests, meadows and protected areas, working with the State Service for Protected Areas.

During the raids, officials checked 1,438 recreational anglers, 236 vehicles and carried out 54 other inspections.

The department said 93 violations involved legislation governing recreational fishing. These included using prohibited fishing gear or methods, including repeated offences. Officials also recorded a violation involving the illegal manufacture, sale, purchase or possession of prohibited fishing gear.

Another 68 violations concerned breaches of protected-area protection and use regulations. The remaining 24 were classified under other provisions of the Code of Administrative Offences.

Officials seized six nets, piercing and hooking implements, eight recreational fishing tools, including traps, fishing rods and spearguns, and one watercraft. Five cases of environmental damage were recorded, with the damage estimated at nearly 1,100 euros.

The Forest Control Department conducted 18 raids in the Vilnius, Trakai, Elektrėnai, Švenčionys, Molėtai, Zarasai, Ignalina, Rokiškis, Šiauliai, Kelmė, Šilalė, Telšiai, Rietavas, Kaunas, Kazlų Rūda and Šakiai districts, focusing on protected areas and recreational forests.

Two administrative offence proceedings were launched over lighting a fire in an unauthorised location and breaches of forest sanitary protection requirements. Officials also issued one mandatory order to remove waste.

One visitor was verbally warned for pitching a tent in an unauthorised location and moved it immediately. Forest visitors were also given guidance on responsible behaviour and camping rules, including requirements for fires, tents and recreation in forests.