Natural resources ministry wishes to cash in on fishing amateurs
Officials from the Ministry of Natural Resources push for the introduction of a 'fisherman charter" in order to make fishing a recreation to be paid for at all the rivers and lakes across Belarus. Belarus' national resources minister Uladzimir Tsalko has proposed to introduce fees for amateur fishing in Belarus, when he was addressing the members of parliament. He cited the experience of such countries like the United States, Canada and Finland. In those countries, it is required to buy the so called "fisherman's charter" before setting out for fishing adventures. The minister reckons that Belarus laws that regulate the protection of flora and fauna should be brought "in line with European standards".
Heorhiy Dashkevich, a deputy chairman of the Chernobyl accident problems, ecology and natural exploration at the House of Representatives, told the European Radio for Belarus that the country's laws need to be changed in order to make fishing a paid recreation. But no legislation from the ministry of natural resources has been tabled at the parliament. He said: "Mostl likely, it was minister's personal point of view or perhaps of some of the officials from his ministry. It is not a simple issue, and it should be treated with caution".
But the lawmaker says that even if a legislation in this regard arrives at the parliament, he personally will object to collecting fees from fishing amaterus. He said: "It is premature to introduce fees for fishing. Infrastructure should be put in place at water reservoirs, before fishing amaterus are charged any fees for nothing".
Hunting and fishing expert Uladzimir Kazlouski says that all 30,000 rivers and 10,000 lakes in Belarus should be either leased to private owners or organization that would be responsible for 'infrastructure' -- to clean up banks from waste and to build convinient entry points, parkings and fishing spots and growing fish.
Besides, there is a need for people who would hunt ponchers. He also believes that most of people will not like the fact that fishing at all the rivers and lakes will be charged for.
The ministry of natural resources declined a comment on minister's proposal to make amateur fishing a paid recreation.
Photo: http://photo.bymedia.net/
Heorhiy Dashkevich, a deputy chairman of the Chernobyl accident problems, ecology and natural exploration at the House of Representatives, told the European Radio for Belarus that the country's laws need to be changed in order to make fishing a paid recreation. But no legislation from the ministry of natural resources has been tabled at the parliament. He said: "Mostl likely, it was minister's personal point of view or perhaps of some of the officials from his ministry. It is not a simple issue, and it should be treated with caution".
But the lawmaker says that even if a legislation in this regard arrives at the parliament, he personally will object to collecting fees from fishing amaterus. He said: "It is premature to introduce fees for fishing. Infrastructure should be put in place at water reservoirs, before fishing amaterus are charged any fees for nothing".
Hunting and fishing expert Uladzimir Kazlouski says that all 30,000 rivers and 10,000 lakes in Belarus should be either leased to private owners or organization that would be responsible for 'infrastructure' -- to clean up banks from waste and to build convinient entry points, parkings and fishing spots and growing fish.
Besides, there is a need for people who would hunt ponchers. He also believes that most of people will not like the fact that fishing at all the rivers and lakes will be charged for.
The ministry of natural resources declined a comment on minister's proposal to make amateur fishing a paid recreation.
Photo: http://photo.bymedia.net/
