Large-scale anti-poaching operation: Over 2 km of nets seized in Burgas

19.05.2026 | Burgas

Inspectors from IARA-Burgas uncovered illegal fishing activities in the "Mandra" reservoir and "Vaya" lake. Fish were rescued from dozens of poaching nets with a total length of over 2 kilometers.

Снимка от Hayden Soloviev, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)

Large-scale operation against illegal fishing in Burgas

A series of specialized inspections by the Executive Agency for Fisheries and Aquaculture (EAFA) – Burgas revealed large-scale illegal fishing in the Mandra Reservoir and Vaya Lake. In just one week, inspectors managed to remove dozens of gillnets with a total length of over 2 kilometers, placed illegally in the protected water bodies.

"Saving the fish and returning them to their natural habitat is our priority during every operation against poaching," emphasized the EAFA.

Details of the inspections

What happens next?

All confiscated poaching equipment has been seized by the Fisheries Agency and will be destroyed in accordance with legal requirements. Inspectors continue active checks in the area to prevent further violations of the Law on Fisheries and Aquaculture.