As part of its efforts to combat poaching, the Department of Environmental Supervision of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture conducted numerous preventive measures across the country during the first six months of 2026.

Combating poaching remains a top priority for the Department. The patrol crews of the Department of Environmental Supervision conduct continuous 24-hour monitoring nationwide to ensure the timely prevention, detection, and suppression of illegal fishing, hunting, and other environmental violations. In addition, they provide immediate responses to all reports received through the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture`s hotline (153). At the same time, preventive measures are being carried out with a particular focus on locations where incidents of poaching have been relatively frequent in recent years.

In 2026, employees of the regional offices of Adjara and Guria, Samegrelo–Zemo Svaneti, Shida Kartli, and Mtskheta-Mtianeti carried out preventive measures on the Chorokhi, Tarchena, Enguri, Chkhoushi, Munchia, Khobistsqali, Chanistsqali, Lesistsqali, and Mtkvari rivers, as well as at the lakes of Grigoleti, Poti, and Bazaleti, and the Sioni and Zhinvali reservoirs.

Employees responsible for environmental patrol and rapid response also carried out preventive measures at the Tbilisi Sea.

As a result of the operations, more than 3,500 meters of gillnets and up to 65 fish traps were removed.

Fish found entangled in the fish traps and nets were released back into their natural habitat by employees of the Department of Environmental Supervision.