Illegal Fishing Declining in Kurzeme Thanks to Modern Surveillance and Public Awareness

A positive trend is emerging in Kuldīga region and across Kurzeme: the number of illegal fishing cases is dropping. Jānis Sprugevics, chief inspector of the Fisheries Control Department of the State Environmental Service's South-Western Regional Administration, emphasizes that the main goal is to preserve fish resources and prevent violations before they occur. Work continues year-round with seasonal shifts: winter focuses on ice fishing on lakes; spring after ice melt brings angling on the Venta River (catch-and-release spinning is allowed, but pike are protected until May). Summer is calmer, though holidaymakers often fish; autumn is marked by salmon migration and spawning. Inspectors also monitor small hydroelectric plants, fish releases, and damage caused by birds to aquaculture.

For years, poachers were ahead of inspectors in terms of technology, but the situation has improved as state agencies acquired thermal cameras and drones. Sprugevics notes that poachers are aging: for every ten older offenders, only one new one appears. The public has become more responsible, frequently reporting violations via mobile phones. A ban on selling fishing nets without registration with the State Environmental Service has also curbed spontaneous offences.

Kaspars Šabāns, head of Kuldīga municipal police, says the main focus is on the Venta River and licensed fishing zones. Officers patrol with quad bikes, boats, and drones, including a thermal drone that detects illegal fishing at night. Every Tuesday, the entire stretch of the Venta where fishing is prohibited is checked. A stationary thermal camera at Ventas rumba allows continuous monitoring, and soon another will be installed on the Kuldīga observation tower to cover key salmon spawning areas. Since the cameras were installed, violations at Ventas rumba have dropped drastically—nets and traps are no longer removed almost nightly. Legal lamprey trap owners also help deter illegal activity.

While complete eradication of violations is impossible, poachers know the Venta is well guarded and fear taking risks. These materials were produced with support from the Latvian Environmental Protection Fund.