Fishing has been prohibited in the waters of Lake Ohrid since December 1, as it coincides with the reproduction period of the Koran, which is in danger of disappearing from illegal fishing.

This measure has not stopped fishermen from developing their activity. Based on information that illegal hunting continues, the Pogradec Fisheries Management organization, supported by the police, seized more than 1,500 linear meters of fishing nets.

“During the checks we carried out in December, we seized about 1,500 meters of illegal net without author. Fishermen try to get in, throw their nets at night, but we found such nets”, says Martin Jaçe from the Fisheries Management Organization in Pogradec.

The specialist of the organization also shows the reasons for not allowing fishing at this time of the year.

“Fishing until January 1st is totally prohibited, after January 1st, contract equipment for 60 fishermen who collect Koran eggs for intubation. They have their suitable places and areas, reproductive fish come out, are caught, biological material is taken, procedures are done and then the eggs are collected from the center”, says Martin Jaçe from the Fisheries Management Organization in Pogradec.

This situation has aggravated the economic situation of the families that deal with fishing, forcing the fishermen to find work abroad.

“During this period we prepare the nets, we make them new for the spawning season. I deal with the preparation, they want work. I leave part-time in Greece, when there is no fish, it is in season, there is no production and I am forced to leave. There is no question of anyone leaving”, says fisherman Betim Abazllari.

From December 1 to January 1, fishing is categorically prohibited in Lake Ohrid. During this 1-month period, 220 licensed Pogradec fishermen will not enter the lake. While from January 1st to March 1st, only a small number of fishermen trained to collect the rasat of the Koran will fish.