Boat valued at 1 million rubles belonging to a resident in Habarovsk region was to the deep sea.
In the Amur River basin, a resident of the Amur District has found himself in hot water after catching an Amur sturgeon, a species under active conservation efforts and subject to strict protection measures by Russian and cross-border authorities.
The Amur sturgeon, a valuable and endemic fish species, is currently under conservation by both Russia and China. Recently, over a million juvenile Amur sturgeon were released into the Amur River to help restore the dwindling populations, highlighting its protected status and possibly restricted fishing rights.
Catching an Amur sturgeon without the necessary authorisation or during prohibited periods can result in administrative fines, confiscation of fish and equipment, or even criminal charges, depending on the severity and local laws governing fishery violations.
The incident occurred in May near the village of Omm on the Amur River, where the man's boat was stopped by police and fisheries inspectors. Upon inspection, a protected Amur sturgeon was found on the man's 1 million ruble motorboat. As a result, the man was arrested, and the Amur sturgeon, along with his boat, was seized.
Operating a high-value motorboat is allowed if all legal requirements are met, including registration, safety standards, and compliance with navigational rules. However, there is no direct legal link between owning the expensive motorboat and catching the sturgeon.
The details of the arrest and subsequent legal proceedings are yet to be disclosed. The seized Amur sturgeon may face further legal action, and the man's interactions with the 1 million ruble motorboat have been restricted due to the catch of the protected species.
This incident serves as a reminder that catching an Amur sturgeon without authorisation remains illegal, and those found guilty can face severe consequences under Russian fishery protection laws. For exact penalties and enforcement procedures, one would need to consult the current Russian fisheries code or local Amur District regulations.
Sources:
- Khabarovsk Krai Today
- Russian Federation and China's conservation efforts for the Amur sturgeon (various news outlets)
The Amur sturgeon's protected status compellingly restricts fishing rights, even in general-news, making it a crime-and-justice issue for those who catch it without the proper authorization. In the incident near Omm village on the Amur River, the man was arrested and the Amur sturgeon, along with his expensive motorboat, was seized.
