Minister of the Interior Nicos Nouris updated the House in writing on the latest figures in poaching fines, according to Phileleftheros.
The numbers show that since the new legislation was put into force in July 2017, the Game Service and the Anti-Poaching Squad of the Cyprus Police’s Emergency Response Unit (ERU) have issued 418 fines worth €1.3 million.
344 (82.3%) of the fines were issued by the Game Service and the rest by the Anti-Poaching Squad.
54 of those cases concern serious offences, including poaching during the night, moufflon hunting, using hare traps, and possession of game in a no hunting period.
ERU’s Anti-Poaching Squad was formed in 2007 to support the work of the Game Service and was dissolved in November amid accusations of corruption.
However, the police are reportedly still supporting the Game Service, with ERU’s deputy head as the point of contact for poaching matters.
According to the relevant legislation, fines for hunting without a permit and hunting outside the designated areas start at €2,000 and rise depending on the seriousness of the offence and whether it’s combined with other offences.
Poaching during the night is punishable by a €25,000 fine, as was the case recently.
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