This Wednesday the launch of the 2024-2025 fishing ban was carried out, which begins on November 4 for the entire national territory of Paraguay. During this period, commercial and sport fishing is not permitted and significant sanctions are announced for offenders.
The Minister of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (Mades), Rolando de Barros, detailed the measures established in Resolution 463, which establishes the annual ban period.
“The ban will begin on November 4 and will continue until December 20 in waters shared with Argentina and within the national territory, and until January 31, 2025 in waters shared with Brazil,” the minister said.
During this period, all types of fishing on board, whether sport or commercial, are prohibited, and fines for offenders range from one to 20,000 days’ wages.
“We will work very closely with the Public Prosecutor’s Office, since the law on environmental crimes provides for prison sentences,” the minister added.
He said, however, that the goal is not repression but rather education and raising awareness among citizens, in order to protect aquatic species that are already threatened by the lowering of water levels in the region.
“The region is suffering from water stress, which is even causing fish kills, either due to the reduction in water flow or due to warming of the water,” he said.
On the other hand, the Director of Fisheries, Adán Leguizamón, stated that during this period coastal fishing is authorised for coastal commercial fishermen who are settled on the coasts and who have a commercial fishing license authorized for this purpose.
He also indicated that species from aquaculture or fish farming, such as pacu, tilapia and carp, can be sold, but those who sell these products must have the corresponding transport guides to prove that they come from ponds.
He also indicated that businesses have a grace period of 10 business days, from the date the ban comes into effect, to finish selling their stock of products, which must be declared in advance.
Authorities announced that they will use all means at their disposal to enforce environmental law, which also allows them to seize vehicles and equipment used for fishing.
